title: Directed self-organization of single DNA molecules in a nanoslit via embedded nanopit arrays.
abstract: We show that arrays of nanopit structures etched in a nanoslit can control the positioning and conformation of single DNA molecules in nanofluidic devices. By adjusting the spacing, organization and placement of the nanopits it is possible to immobilize DNA at predetermined regions of a device without additional chemical modification and achieve a high degree of control over local DNA conformation. DNA can be extended between two nanopits and in closely spaced arrays will self-assemble into "connect-the-dots" conformations consisting of locally pinned segments joined by fluctuating linkers. These results have broad implications for nanotechnology fields that require methods for the nanoscale positioning and manipulation of DNA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. walter_reisner@brown.edu
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reisner
authors.forename: Niels B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Flyvbjerg
authors.forename: Jonas O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Tegenfeldt
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kristensen
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
chemical_list: D004247:DNA