Imaging of single-stranded DNA with the scanning tunneling microscope

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Uncoated single-strand DNA mixed with BAC (benzyldimethylalkylammonium chloride) were deposited on gold substrates and imaged in air with the use of a high-resolution scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Constant-current and gap-modulated STM images showed both double- and single-stranded DNA. Along the single DNA backbone we have, tentatively, assigned small structures to phosphate and sugar group components; bumps aside single filaments, that correspond, presumbaly, to the bases DNA, have sometimes been observed.