A nanoscale DNA force spectrometer capable of applying tension and compression on biomolecules.

ABSTRACT: Single molecule force spectroscopy is a powerful approach to probe the structure, conformational changes, and kinetic properties of biological and synthetic macromolecules. However, common approaches to apply forces to biomolecules require expensive and cumbersome equipment and relatively large probes such as beads or cantilevers, which limits their use for many environments and makes integrating with other methods challenging. Furthermore, existing methods have key limitations such as an inability to apply compressive forces on single molecules. We report a nanoscale DNA force spectrometer (nDFS), which is based on a DNA origami hinge with tunable mechanical and dynamic properties. The angular free energy landscape of the nDFS can be engineered across a wide range through substitution of

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421221 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature