Multiplexed single-molecule force spectroscopy using a centrifuge

Nat Commun. 2016 Mar 17:7:11026. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11026.

Abstract

We present a miniature centrifuge force microscope (CFM) that repurposes a benchtop centrifuge for high-throughput single-molecule experiments with high-resolution particle tracking, a large force range, temperature control and simple push-button operation. Incorporating DNA nanoswitches to enable repeated interrogation by force of single molecular pairs, we demonstrate increased throughput, reliability and the ability to characterize population heterogeneity. We perform spatiotemporally multiplexed experiments to collect 1,863 bond rupture statistics from 538 traceable molecular pairs in a single experiment, and show that 2 populations of DNA zippers can be distinguished using per-molecule statistics to reduce noise.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Centrifugation / instrumentation*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Spectrum Analysis*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • DNA