Imaging DNA Structure by Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a microscopy technique that uses a sharp probe to trace a sample surface at nanometre resolution. For biological applications, one of its key advantages is its ability to visualize substructure of single molecules and molecular complexes in an aqueous environment. Here, we describe the application of AFM to determine superstructure and secondary structure of surface-bound DNA. The method is also readily applicable to probe DNA-DNA interactions and DNA-protein complexes.

Keywords: AFM; Atomic force microscopy; DNA; DNA–protein binding; Double helix; Supercoiling.