Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET
Published on: June 28, 2014
Insulating behavior of lambda-DNA on the micron scale
Y Zhang1, R H Austin, J Kraeft
1Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA.
Abstract:
We have investigated the electrical conductivity of lambda-DNA using DNA covalently bonded to Au electrodes. Thiol-modified dTTP was incorporated into the "sticky" ends of bacteriophage lambda-DNA using DNA polymerase. Two-probe measurements on such molecules provide a hard lower bound for the resistivity rho>10(6)Omega cm at bias potentials up to 20 V, in conflict with recent claims of moderate to high conductivity. By direct imaging, we show that the molecules are present after the measurements. We stress the importance of eliminating salt residues in these measurements.
Related Concept Videos
DNA Packaging
The Nucleosome
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
Chromatin Packaging
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.
Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current
The Nucleosome
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
Chromatin Packaging

