Spontaneous stretching of DNA in a two-dimensional nanoslit.
DNA molecules in silicon dioxide-glass fluidic nanoslits spontaneously extend at the lateral sidewalls of the slit. The nanoslit geometry, however, physically confines polymer molecules to two spatial dimensions; further reduction in configurational entropy resulting in axially stretched molecules arises spontaneously and appears to be electrostatically mediated. The observations not only shed light on electrostatic interactions of charged soft matter with like-charged confining walls but also offer a new method to stretch DNA in solution.
Krishnan
Madhavi
M
Biotechnologisches Zentrum, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany. madhavi.krishnan@biotec.tu-dresden.de
Mönch
Ingolf
I
Schwille
Petra
P
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures
D004247:DNA