title: Immobilization and condensation of DNA with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane studied by atomic force microscopy.
abstract: We used different methods to modify a mica surface with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and then used it as substrate to immobilize DNA for atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation. The evaporation method and solution modifying method were investigated and evaluated. The solution modifying method was found to be relatively simple and effective. Using an APTES solution-modified mica surface, DNA immobilization appeared more reproducible and it could be imaged in liquid. The mixed solution of APTES and DNA was dropped directly onto the mica surface for AFM imaging. We found that DNA can condense in APTES water solutions. Toroids, rods and intermediate structures of condensation were captured by AFM.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jilin.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D011437:Propylamines; D012821:Silanes
chemical_list: D011437:Propylamines; D012821:Silanes; D004247:DNA; C477625:amino-propyl-triethoxysilane