title: Bright-field analysis of phi29 DNA packaging motor using a magnetomechanical system.
abstract: We report a simple and robust magnetomechanical system for direct visual observation of the DNA packaging behavior of the bacteriophage phi29 in real time. The system comprises a micron-sized magnetic bead attached to the free end of the viral DNA, a magnet and a bright-field microscope. We show that the phi29 DNA packaging activity can be observed and dynamically analyzed at the single molecular level in bright field with a relatively simple system. With this system we also visually demonstrate the phi29 motor transporting a cargo 10 000 times the viral size.
authors.forename: Chun-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Peixuan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Cagri A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Savran