title: Alignment and sensitive detection of DNA by a moving interface.
abstract: In a process called "molecular combining," DNA molecules attached at one end to a solid surface were extended and aligned by a receding air-water interface and left to dry on the surface. Molecular combing was observed to extend the length of the bacteriophage lambda DNA molecule to 21.5 +/- 0.5 micrometers (unextended length, 16.2 micrometers). With the combing process, it was possible to (i) extend a chromosomal Escherichia coli DNA fragment (10(6) base pairs) and (ii) detect a minute quantity of DNA (10(3) molecules). These results open the way for a faster physical mapping of the genome and for the detection of small quantities of target DNA from a population of molecules.
authors.affiliation: Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bensimon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiffaudel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Croquette
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heslot
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bensimon
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012821:Silanes; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012821:Silanes; D004247:DNA