Detecting DNA folding with nanocapillaries.
We demonstrate for the first time the detection of the folding state of double-stranded DNA in nanocapillaries with the resistive pulse technique. We show that glass capillaries can be pulled into nanocapillaries with diameters down to 45 nm. We study translocation of lambda -DNA which is driven by an electrophoretic force through the nanocapillary. The resulting change in ionic current indicates the folding state of single lambda -DNA molecules. Our experiments prove that nanocapillaries are suitable for label-free analysis of DNA in aqueous solutions and viable alternatives to solid-state nanopores made by silicon nanotechnology.
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Lorenz J
LJ
Steinbock
Oliver
O
Otto
Catalin
C
Chimerel
Joanne
J
Gornall
Ulrich F
UF
Keyser
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004247:DNA