Radial compression elasticity of single DNA molecules studied by vibrating scanning polarization force microscopy

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2005 Jun;71(6 Pt 1):062901. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.71.062901. Epub 2005 Jun 20.

Abstract

The radial compression properties of single DNA molecules have been studied using vibrating scanning polarization force microscopy. By imaging DNA molecules at different vibration amplitude set-point values, we obtain the correlations between radially applied force and DNA compression, from which the radial compressive elasticity can be deduced. The estimated elastic modulus is approximately 20-70 MPa under small external forces (<0.4 nN) and increases to approximately 100-200 MPa for large loads.

MeSH terms

  • Compressive Strength
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / analysis
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / ultrastructure*
  • Elasticity
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Microscopy, Polarization / methods*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Vibration

Substances

  • DNA