title: A wireless centrifuge force microscope (CFM) enables multiplexed single-molecule experiments in a commercial centrifuge.
abstract: The centrifuge force microscope (CFM) was recently introduced as a platform for massively parallel single-molecule manipulation and analysis. Here we developed a low-cost and self-contained CFM module that works directly within a commercial centrifuge, greatly improving accessibility and ease of use. Our instrument incorporates research grade video microscopy, a power source, a computer, and wireless transmission capability to simultaneously monitor many individually tethered microspheres. We validated the instrument by performing single-molecule force shearing of short DNA duplexes. For a 7 bp duplex, we observed over 1000 dissociation events due to force dependent shearing from 2 pN to 12 pN with dissociation times in the range of 10-100 s. We extended the measurement to a 10 bp duplex, applying a 12 pN force clamp and directly observing single-molecule dissociation over an 85 min experiment. Our new CFM module facilitates simple and inexpensive experiments that dramatically improve access to single-molecule analysis.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA.
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Hoang
authors: Department of Biology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA.
authors: Dhruv S
authors: DS
authors: Patel
authors: The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA.
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Halvorsen
mesh_terms: D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D059015:Wireless Technology
chemical_list: D004247:DNA