Detecting DNA folding with nanocapillaries

Nano Lett. 2010 Jul 14;10(7):2493-7. doi: 10.1021/nl100997s.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Electrophoresis / instrumentation*
  • Electrophoresis / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Glass / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation

Substances

  • DNA