Force spectroscopy of single DNA and RNA molecules.
Experiments in which single molecules of RNA and DNA are stretched, and the resulting force as a function of extension is measured have yielded new information about the physical, chemical and biological properties of these important molecules. The behavior of both single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids under changing solution conditions, such as ionic strength, pH and temperature, has been studied in detail. There has also been progress in using these techniques to study both the kinetics and equilibrium thermodynamics of DNA-protein interactions. These studies generate unique insights into the functions of these proteins in the cell.
Department of Physics and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Complex Systems, Northeastern University, 111 Dana Research Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mark@neu.edu
Mark C
MC
Williams
Ioulia
I
Rouzina
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA