title: Imaging surface charges of individual biomolecules.
abstract: Surface charges play a key role in determining the structure and function of proteins, DNA, and larger biomolecular structures. Here we report on the measurement of the electrostatic surface potential of individual DNA and avidin molecules with nanometer resolution using Kelvin probe force microscopy. We also show, for the first time, the surface potential of buffer salts shielding individual DNA molecules, which would not be possible with conventional ensemble techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, England. carl.lsc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kinns
authors.forename: Bart W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Hoogenboom
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Howorka
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mesquida
mesh_terms: D001360:Avidin / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D001360:Avidin; D004247:DNA; D012825:Silicon