Single-molecule cut-and-paste surface assembly.
We introduce a method for the bottom-up assembly of biomolecular structures that combines the precision of the atomic force microscope (AFM) with the selectivity of DNA hybridization. Functional units coupled to DNA oligomers were picked up from a depot area by means of a complementary DNA strand bound to an AFM tip. These units were transferred to and deposited on a target area to create basic geometrical structures, assembled from units with different functions. Each of these cut-and-paste events was characterized by single-molecule force spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Transport and deposition of more than 5000 units were achieved, with less than 10% loss in transfer efficiency.
Kufer
S K
SK
Center for Nanoscience and Department of Physics, University of Munich, Amalienstrasse 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.
Puchner
E M
EM
Gumpp
H
H
Liedl
T
T
Gaub
H E
HE
D020029:Base Pairing; D001710:Biotin; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D001710:Biotin; D004247:DNA