The morphology of DNA solution in an open fluidic channel studied by non-contact AFM.
The morphologies of pure buffer solution and DNA-containing solution in an open fluidic channel with rectangle cross section (1 microm in width and 150 nm in depth) have been explored using non-contact AFM. A remarkable feature is that a uniform nano-scale trench (approximately 15 nm deep and 14 microm long) on the surface of the DNA solution has been observed. The presence of two neighboring stretched DNA molecules near the solution surface may be responsible for the configuration of the nanotrench. This new phenomenon of partially stretched DNA molecules is likely to be useful for the future designing of fluidic devices, and for the manipulation and study of single DNA molecules.
Wang
Kai-Ge
KG
Institute of Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China. wangkg@hotmail.com
Wang
Lei
L
Li
Ji
J
Xu
Gui-Wen
GW
Jin
Ai-Zi
AZ
Gu
Chang-Zhi
CZ
Liu
Wen-Qing
WQ
Niu
Han-Ben
HB
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D044085:Microfluidics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D012996:Solutions
D012996:Solutions; D004247:DNA