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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Probing The Structure And Dynamics Of Nucleosomes Using Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging
Published on: January 31, 2019
Nanoscale structure and dynamics of DNA
Mark A Berg1, Robert S Coleman, Catherine J Murphy
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. berg@mail.chem.sc.edu
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|February 23, 2008
Summary
DNA
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Nanotechnology
Background:
- DNA's double helix structure is often simplified, but local variations and motions are key for biological functions.
- DNA is a promising tool for nanoscale assembly due to strand-specific pairing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate DNA's nanoscale structure and dynamics.
- To understand DNA's properties for nanotechnology applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanoparticles to probe DNA's nanoscale structure.
- Employing a fluorescent reporter within the base stack to measure DNA dynamics across a wide time range.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles reveal local structural variations in DNA.
- DNA dynamics were measured over six orders of magnitude in time.
Conclusions:
- DNA's nanoscale structural and dynamic properties are variable and crucial.
- Understanding these properties, including solvent shell and counterions, is essential for future DNA nanotechnology.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Chromatin Packaging
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
02:21Chromatin Packaging
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter?
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.
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.
01:19The Nucleosome
Human DNA is almost two meters long. However, it is compressed inside a tiny nucleus measuring only a few microns in diameter. To make this degree of compaction possible, DNA is organized into several sequential levels so that it can fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
In a chromosome, DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called a histone octamer core, which consists of 8 histone proteins. This...
02:33The Nucleosome
DNA in a human cell is almost 2m long and it is packed inside a tiny nucleus that is only a few microns in diameter. The level of compaction of DNA inside the nucleus is astonishing. It is organized into several sequentially higher levels of compaction to fit into such a tiny space. The most compact form of DNA is a chromosome that can be seen under a microscope in a dividing cell.
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
DNA is wound twice around a protein complex called histone core, that consist of 8 histone proteins. This complex...
01:16The DNA Helix
Overview
01:07The DNA Helix
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is the genetic material responsible for passing traits from generation to generation in all organisms and most viruses. DNA is composed of two strands of nucleotides that wind around each other to form a spring-like structure called a double helix. However, the double helix is not perfectly symmetrical. Instead, there are regularly occurring grooves in the structure. The major groove occurs where the sugar-phosphate backbones are relatively far apart. This space...