Журнал наномедицины и нанотехнологий

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DNA Nanotube Ultrastructural Analysis Using Scanning Tunneling

Irena Kostova

This article describes the possible uses of atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy for characterising DNA nanotubes at the nanoscale. Using M13mp18 DNA as a scaffold and the Cadnano programme, the nanotubes were created. Following ligase treatment, DNA nanotubes were created using the origami approach. The morphology of DNA nanotubes was validated by transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to a scanning tunnelling microscope, an atomic force microscope was employed to characterise the topography of DNA nanotubes. The results of scanning tunnelling microscopy in the constant-current mode showed a high-resolution topography of DNA nanotubes; however, atomic force microscopy in the contact mode explored additional information about the self-assembly in DNA strands in nanotubes (or constant height). Our results indicated that the two for the purpose of creating two- and three-dimensional micrographs of DNA nanotubes, microscopes may be the best tool.