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    Abstract:
    This paper presents a method for the stretching of DNA molecules on mica surfaces by magnetic field. In the experiment, the magnetic fields with different intensities were generated using a cylindrical coil and were used to study their effects on DNA molecules. The magnetic field intensity was controlled by the electric current flowing through the coil. The imaging of DNA molecules was performed by atomic force microscope (AFM) in the same position on the mica surface after the treatment with the magnetic field. It was found that the DNA molecules were gradually straightened with the increase of magnetic field intensity, and the straightening performance was better than that of the molecular combing method in the experiment. In addition, the degree of DNA straightening was related to the speed at which DNA molecules were dropped to the mica surface, the amount of DNA charges and the direction of magnetic field.
    Keywords:
    Combing
    Intensity
    Biomagnetism
    Atomic force microscopy (AFM; also called scanning force microscopy [SFM]) is a rather novel technique that offers unique advantages in the potential for the very high resolution of DNA and small ligands in the absence of stains, shadows, and labels (,). Furthermore, the scanning can be performed in air or liquid. The latter is particularly important for resolving fully hydrated structures. The AFM is theoretically capable of resolving structural details at the level of atomic dimensions, provided that the specimen is not dynamic.
    Scanning Force Microscopy
    Scanning Probe Microscopy
    Citations (43)
    Abstract In this study, the topography of human topoisomerase I (TOPO I) on mica surfaces in air and in liquid has been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The average height of TOPO I on mica surface in air measured by AFM was 2.59±0.32 nm. After adsorption of the 0.3 U/µl TOPO I on mica surfaces for 2 h, and then imaged in liquid by AFM, well‐separated single TOPO I was observed. The average height of TOPO I on mica surfaces in liquid measured by AFM was 2.93±0.42 nm. After adsorption of the 4 U/µl TOPO I on mica surfaces for 1.5 h, TOPO I monolayer can be formed. The produced TOPO I monolayer on mica was flat and exhibited good stability. SCANNING 31: 160–166, 2009. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
    Citations (10)
    Phlogopite mica surfaces have been observed under various conditions by an atomic force microscope (AFM). Although the AFM images change with the scan directions, we suppose that the hexagonal arrays which appeared in the AFM images are oxygen atoms from the observations of phlogopite mica surfaces after an ionexchange. Similar periodic structure images were obtained in water and in silicone oil as well as in air. Particularly clear images were obtained in pure water.
    Phlogopite
    Silicone oil
    Citations (2)
    Summary We used different methods to modify a mica surface with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and then used it as substrate to immobilize DNA for atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation. The evaporation method and solution modifying method were investigated and evaluated. The solution modifying method was found to be relatively simple and effective. Using an APTES solution‐modified mica surface, DNA immobilization appeared more reproducible and it could be imaged in liquid. The mixed solution of APTES and DNA was dropped directly onto the mica surface for AFM imaging. We found that DNA can condense in APTES water solutions. Toroids, rods and intermediate structures of condensation were captured by AFM.
    Rod
    Large DNA molecules remain difficult to be imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM) because of the tendency of aggregation. A method is described to align long DNA fibers in a single direction on unmodified mica to facilitate AFM studies. The clear background, minimal overstretching, high reproducibility and convenience of this aligning procedure make it useful for physical mapping of genome regions and the studies of DNA-protein complexes.
    Citations (80)
    The surface topography of mica modified by 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate(KH-570) was studied by atomic force microscope(AFM).Surface parameters such as roughness Rq,particle height D and the highest value at Z direction were measured.The influence of several factors on the surface topography of modified mica was investigated,including rinse,the concentration of KH-570 and the order of rinse and drying.The results indicated that the value of Rq was affected by the point defect on mica surface,rinse and the disposal after modification,while the morphology of KH-570 molecular aggregate was depended on the concentration of KH-570.As the concentration reduced,the morphology changed from cross-linked web to divergent points.
    Morphology
    Citations (0)