Blowing DNA bubbles

Nano Lett. 2006 Nov;6(11):2561-6. doi: 10.1021/nl061989b.

Abstract

We report here experimental observations which indicate that topologically or covalently formed polymer loops embedded in an ultrathin liquid film on a solid substrate can be "blown" into circular "bubbles" during scanning force microscopy (SFM) imaging. In particular, supercoiled vector DNA has been unraveled, moved, stretched, and overstretched to two times its B-form length and then torn apart. We attribute the blowing of the DNA bubbles to the interaction of the tapping SFM tip with the ultrathin liquid film.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / ultrastructure
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polystyrenes
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid
  • DNA