Label-free detection of conformational changes in switchable DNA nanostructures with microwave microfluidics.

ABSTRACT: Detection of conformational changes in biomolecular assemblies provides critical information into biological and self-assembly processes. State-of-the-art in situ biomolecular conformation detection techniques rely on fluorescent labels or protein-specific binding agents to signal conformational changes. Here, we present an on-chip, label-free technique to detect conformational changes in a DNA nanomechanical tweezer structure with microwave microfluidics. We measure the electromagnetic properties of suspended DNA tweezer solutions from 50 kHz to 110 GHz and directly detect two distinct conformations of the structures. We develop a physical model to describe the electrical properties of the tweezers, and correlate model parameters to conformational changes. The strongest indicator for conf

SUBMITTER: Stelson AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6414672 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature