title: Scanning tunneling microscopy of DNA: a novel technique using radiolabeled DNA to evaluate chemically mediated attachment of DNA to surfaces.
abstract: pBS+ plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) after mounting microdroplets by aerosol deposition onto heated epitaxial gold surfaces. However, the instability of the adsorbate to forces exerted by the tunneling tip points out the need for more aggressive bonding of molecules to surfaces. We describe a sensitive assay for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of chemical agents to influence binding of DNA to surfaces using 32P-labeled pBS+ plasmid DNA. We propose that such an assay can make an important contribution to immobilization techniques prior to STM imaging.
authors.affiliation: Health and Safety Research Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN 37830-6123.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Warmack
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bottomley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thundat
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Woychik
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Schrick
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ferrell
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006046:Gold; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D010957:Plasmids; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA