Ultra-high resolution imaging of DNA and nucleosomes using non-contact atomic force microscopy.
Visualisation of nano-scale biomolecules aids understanding and development in molecular biology and nanotechnology. Detailed structure of nucleosomes adsorbed to mica has been captured in the absence of chemical-anchoring techniques, demonstrating the usefulness of non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) for ultra-high resolution biomolecular imaging. NC-AFM offers significant advantages in terms of resolution, speed and ease of sample preparation when compared to techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography. In the absence of chemical modification, detailed structure of DNA deposited on a gold substrate was observed for the first time using NC-AFM, opening up possibilities for investigating the electrical properties of unmodified DNA.
Davies
Emma
E
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, School of Engineering, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK. egdaviese@swansea.ac.uk
Teng
Kar Seng
KS
Conlan
Robert Steven
RS
Wilks
Stephen Patrick
SP
D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D009707:Nucleosomes; D004247:DNA; C011934:mica