High-Resolution Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Nucleic Acids

Pablo Ares; Julio Gomez-Herrero; Fernando Moreno-Herrero

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-8591-3_1

High-Resolution Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging of Nucleic Acids

Methods Mol Biol. 2018:1814:3-17. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8591-3_1.

Authors

Pablo Ares¹, Julio Gomez-Herrero^{1

2}, Fernando Moreno-Herrero³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
² Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
³ Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain. fernando.moreno@cnb.csic.es.

PMID: 29956223
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8591-3_1

Abstract

Exploring the limits of spatial resolution has been a constant in the history of atomic force microscopy imaging. Since its invention in 1986, the AFM has beaten the barrier of resolution continuously, thanks to technical developments, miniaturization of tips, and implementation of new imaging modes. The double helix structure of DNA has been always at the horizon of resolution. Today, this milestone has been reached, not only imaging DNA but also its close relative double-stranded RNA. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the methods employed and the steps required to image the helical periodicity of these two nucleic acids with the sample immersed in a buffer solution.

Keywords: AFM imaging methods; Atomic force microscopy; Double-stranded DNA; Double-stranded RNA.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

DNA / metabolism
Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
Nucleic Acids / metabolism*
RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism

Substances

Nucleic Acids
RNA, Double-Stranded
DNA