title: Recent advances in atomic force microscopy of DNA.
abstract: Three advances involving DNA in atomic force microscopy (AFM) are reported here. First a HEPES-Mg buffer has been used that improves the spreading of DNA and provides good DNA coverage with as little as 200-500 picograms per sample. Second, the new "tapping" mode has been used to improve the ease and resolution of AFM-imaging of DNA in air. Finally, AFM images are presented of single-stranded phi X-174 virion DNA with the gene 32 single-stranded binding protein. A summary of the current state of the field and of the methods for preparing and imaging DNA in the AFM is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Hansma
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sinsheimer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groppe
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Bruice
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Elings
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gurley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bezanilla
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Mastrangelo
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Hough
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Hansma
mesh_terms: D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000378:metabolism; D010584:Bacteriophage phi X 174 / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002021:Buffers; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006531:HEPES; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / Q000379:methods; D011485:Protein Binding; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; C060035:gp32 protein, Enterobacteria phage T4; D006531:HEPES