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Sensing force and charge at the nanoscale with a single-molecule tether
Xuanhui Meng1, Philipp Kukura, Sanli Faez
1Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3QZ Oxford, UK. philipp.kukura@chem.ox.ac.uk.
Nanoscale
|September 3, 2021
Summary
We developed a new method to measure molecular forces and charge using parallelized imaging of DNA. This technique enhances throughput for single-molecule studies, enabling precise force detection and charge state analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Electrophoretic mobility measurements are crucial for studying biomolecular processes.
- Single-particle measurements face throughput limitations, hindering statistical power.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel molecular force sensor and charge detector.
- To overcome throughput limitations in single-particle electrophoretic measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing parallelized imaging and tracking of tethered double-stranded DNA (dsDNA).
- Functionalizing DNA with charged nanoparticles for interaction with an electric field.
- Achieving nanometre precision and microsecond temporal resolution in particle tracking.
Main Results:
- Quantifying electrophoretic force down to the sub-piconewton scale.
- Detecting changes in particle charge state due to biomolecule addition or pH variations.
- Demonstrating high throughput for single-molecule analysis.
Conclusions:
- The developed approach offers an alternative for studying single-molecule dynamics.
- Enables precise measurement of forces and charge states in biomolecular systems.
- Enhances statistical validity in single-particle biophysical experiments.
