Nanomanipulation of DNA molecules or other biomolecules to form artificial patterns or structures at nanometer scale has potential applications in the construction of molecular devices in future industries. It may als...Nanomanipulation of DNA molecules or other biomolecules to form artificial patterns or structures at nanometer scale has potential applications in the construction of molecular devices in future industries. It may also lead to new insights into the interesting properties and behavior of this fantastic nature-selected molecule at the sin- gle-molecular level. Here we present a special method based on the combination of macroscopic “molecular comb- ing” and microscopic “molecular cutting” to manipulate DNA molecules and form complex patterns at nanometer scale on solid surfaces. A possible strategy for ordered DNA sequencing based on this nanomanipulation technique has also been proposed.展开更多
The insoluble and fibrillar aggregates of some proteins are thought to be the pathological cause of neu- rodegenerative diseases. The aggregation-propensities of different types of proteins were investigated by Thiofl...The insoluble and fibrillar aggregates of some proteins are thought to be the pathological cause of neu- rodegenerative diseases. The aggregation-propensities of different types of proteins were investigated by Thioflavine T fluorescence assay and atomic force microscopy imaging. Then, the structural transformations of the proteins from aqueous state to solid state were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results indicate that proteins of dif- ferent secondary structure show variations in their aggregation-propensities, together with their various structural transformations from aqueous state to solid state. Our studies imply that the structural transformation of proteins from solution to solid state is closely associated with their aggregation-propensities, which will provide insight into the molecular mechanism of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Nano-manipulation of single atoms and molecules is a critical technique in nanoscience and nanotech- nology. This review paper will focus on the recent development of the manipulation of single DNA molecules based on ...Nano-manipulation of single atoms and molecules is a critical technique in nanoscience and nanotech- nology. This review paper will focus on the recent development of the manipulation of single DNA molecules based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). Precise manipulation has been realized including varied manipulating modes such as “cutting”, “pushing”, “folding”, “kneading”, “picking up”, “dipping”, etc. The cutting accuracy is dominated by the size of the AFM tip, which is usually 10nm or less. Single DNA fragments can be cut and picked up and then amplified by single molecule PCR. Thus positioning isolation and sequencing can be performed.展开更多
In this paper, a new approach is demonstrated to measure the compression elasticity of single biomolecule in small force regime (<0.5 nN) using vibrating mode scanning polarization force microscopy (VSPFM). With th...In this paper, a new approach is demonstrated to measure the compression elasticity of single biomolecule in small force regime (<0.5 nN) using vibrating mode scanning polarization force microscopy (VSPFM). With this method we investigate the compression elasticity of a single DNA molecule in the radial direction (perpendicular to DNA strands). The radial deformation of DNA molecules deposited on mica surface is shown to be able to reach about 50% un der external load, and this remarkable deformation is re- versible. In addition, the compression spring constant of DNA molecules is estimated to be about 0.6 nN/nm according to the height-force curves.展开更多
Atomic force micriscope (AFM)-based dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) is an emerging approach for con-structing nanostructures on material surfaces such as gold, silicon and silicon oxide. Although DPN is a powerful tech-...Atomic force micriscope (AFM)-based dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) is an emerging approach for con-structing nanostructures on material surfaces such as gold, silicon and silicon oxide. Although DPN is a powerful tech-nique, it has not shown its ability of direct-writing and pat-terning of nanostructures on surfaces of soft materials, for example biomacromolecules. Direct depositing on soft sur-faces becomes possible with the introduction of a com-bined-dynamic mode DPN rather than mostly used contact mode DPN or tapping mode DPN. In this report, the com-bined dynamic mode DPN is used for direct depositing pro-tein ink on DNA molecules at the nanometer scale.展开更多
The height of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is measured by lift mode AFM combined with conventional tapping mode AFM. While the tip scan height is raised step by step, the tip pressure on sample is decreased gradually. ...The height of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is measured by lift mode AFM combined with conventional tapping mode AFM. While the tip scan height is raised step by step, the tip pressure on sample is decreased gradually. As a result, the deformation of the DNA strands decreases, and the height of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule can be deduced by the tip lift height. The measured height of dsDNA is 1.5±0.2 nm in lift mode, but only 0.8±0.2 nm in conventional tapping mode. This demonstrates that the tip pressure is a key factor in soft sample height measurement resulting in artificating lower values via conventional tap- ping mode.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under grant No.10335070. Financial support from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Scientific and Technological Committee is also appreciated.
文摘Nanomanipulation of DNA molecules or other biomolecules to form artificial patterns or structures at nanometer scale has potential applications in the construction of molecular devices in future industries. It may also lead to new insights into the interesting properties and behavior of this fantastic nature-selected molecule at the sin- gle-molecular level. Here we present a special method based on the combination of macroscopic “molecular comb- ing” and microscopic “molecular cutting” to manipulate DNA molecules and form complex patterns at nanometer scale on solid surfaces. A possible strategy for ordered DNA sequencing based on this nanomanipulation technique has also been proposed.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30070165) Science & Technology Committee of Shanghai+1 种基金 (No.0159NM078 No.03JC14081).
文摘The insoluble and fibrillar aggregates of some proteins are thought to be the pathological cause of neu- rodegenerative diseases. The aggregation-propensities of different types of proteins were investigated by Thioflavine T fluorescence assay and atomic force microscopy imaging. Then, the structural transformations of the proteins from aqueous state to solid state were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results indicate that proteins of dif- ferent secondary structure show variations in their aggregation-propensities, together with their various structural transformations from aqueous state to solid state. Our studies imply that the structural transformation of proteins from solution to solid state is closely associated with their aggregation-propensities, which will provide insight into the molecular mechanism of protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
文摘Nano-manipulation of single atoms and molecules is a critical technique in nanoscience and nanotech- nology. This review paper will focus on the recent development of the manipulation of single DNA molecules based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). Precise manipulation has been realized including varied manipulating modes such as “cutting”, “pushing”, “folding”, “kneading”, “picking up”, “dipping”, etc. The cutting accuracy is dominated by the size of the AFM tip, which is usually 10nm or less. Single DNA fragments can be cut and picked up and then amplified by single molecule PCR. Thus positioning isolation and sequencing can be performed.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.10304011 and 10335070)Chinese Academy of Sciences+1 种基金Shanghai Science Committee Ningbo University.
文摘In this paper, a new approach is demonstrated to measure the compression elasticity of single biomolecule in small force regime (<0.5 nN) using vibrating mode scanning polarization force microscopy (VSPFM). With this method we investigate the compression elasticity of a single DNA molecule in the radial direction (perpendicular to DNA strands). The radial deformation of DNA molecules deposited on mica surface is shown to be able to reach about 50% un der external load, and this remarkable deformation is re- versible. In addition, the compression spring constant of DNA molecules is estimated to be about 0.6 nN/nm according to the height-force curves.
文摘Atomic force micriscope (AFM)-based dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) is an emerging approach for con-structing nanostructures on material surfaces such as gold, silicon and silicon oxide. Although DPN is a powerful tech-nique, it has not shown its ability of direct-writing and pat-terning of nanostructures on surfaces of soft materials, for example biomacromolecules. Direct depositing on soft sur-faces becomes possible with the introduction of a com-bined-dynamic mode DPN rather than mostly used contact mode DPN or tapping mode DPN. In this report, the com-bined dynamic mode DPN is used for direct depositing pro-tein ink on DNA molecules at the nanometer scale.
文摘The height of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is measured by lift mode AFM combined with conventional tapping mode AFM. While the tip scan height is raised step by step, the tip pressure on sample is decreased gradually. As a result, the deformation of the DNA strands decreases, and the height of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule can be deduced by the tip lift height. The measured height of dsDNA is 1.5±0.2 nm in lift mode, but only 0.8±0.2 nm in conventional tapping mode. This demonstrates that the tip pressure is a key factor in soft sample height measurement resulting in artificating lower values via conventional tap- ping mode.
