title: Mechanically resolving noncovalent bonds using acoustic radiation force.
abstract: The resolution of molecular bonds and subsequent selective control of their binding are of great significance in chemistry and biology. We have developed a method based on the use of acoustic radiation force to precisely dissociate noncovalent molecular bonds. The acoustic radiation force is produced by extremely low-power ultrasound waves and is mediated by magnetic particles. We successfully distinguished the binding of antibodies of different subclasses and the binding of DNA duplexes with a single-base-pair difference. In contrast to most ultrasound applications in chemistry, the sonication probe is noninvasive and requires a sample volume of only a few microliters. Our method is thus viable for noninvasive and accurate control of molecular bonds that are widely encountered in biochemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA. sxu7@uh.edu.
authors.forename: Lashan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Silva
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Shoujun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020137:Base Pair Mismatch; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008280:Magnetics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011485:Protein Binding; D013010:Sonication; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D004247:DNA