Insulating behavior of lambda-DNA on the micron scale

Preprint

8 May 2002

preprint
Published by arXiv in arXiv

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 (Ohm cm) at bias potentials up to 20 volts, 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.

Keywords

INSULATING BEHAVIOR
RECENT CLAIMS
BACTERIOPHAGE
MICRON SCALE
RESISTIVITY
LAMBDA DNA
USING DNA

All Related Versions

Version 1, 2002-05-08, ArXiv
Version 2, 2002-07-11, ArXiv
Published version: Physical Review Letters, 89 (19), 198102.

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