title: Arrays of Individual DNA Molecules on Nanopatterned Substrates.
abstract: Arrays of individual molecules can combine the advantages of microarrays and single-molecule studies. They miniaturize assays to reduce sample and reagent consumption and increase throughput, and additionally uncover static and dynamic heterogeneity usually masked in molecular ensembles. However, realizing single-DNA arrays must tackle the challenge of capturing structurally highly dynamic strands onto defined substrate positions. Here, we create single-molecule arrays by electrostatically adhering single-stranded DNA of gene-like length onto positively charged carbon nanoislands. The nanosites are so small that only one molecule can bind per island. Undesired adsorption of DNA to the surrounding non-target areas is prevented via a surface-passivating film. Of further relevance, the DNA arrays are of tunable dimensions, and fabricated on optically transparent substrates that enable singe-molecule detection with fluorescence microscopy. The arrays are hence compatible with a wide range of bioanalytical, biophysical, and cell biological studies where individual DNA strands are either examined in isolation, or interact with other molecules or cells.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Bioanalysis GmbH, 4020 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hager
authors.affiliation: Institute for Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Alma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halilovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Institute for Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schäffler
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Bioanalysis GmbH, 4020 Linz, Austria.|Department of Chemistry, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Howorka
mesh_terms: D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D000072760:Single Molecule Imaging / Q000379:methods*