Confinement spectroscopy: probing single DNA molecules with tapered nanochannels

Nano Lett. 2009 Apr;9(4):1382-5. doi: 10.1021/nl803030e.

Abstract

We demonstrate a confinement spectroscopy technique capable of probing small conformational changes of unanchored single DNA molecules in a manner analogous to force spectroscopy, in the regime corresponding to femtonewton forces. In contrast to force spectroscopy, various structural forms of DNA can easily be probed, as indicated by experiments on linear and circular DNA. The extension of circular DNA is found to scale according to the de Gennes exponent, unlike for linear DNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA Probes*
  • Nanotechnology*
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA