Scanning tunneling microscopy of DNA: Atom-resolved imaging, general observations and possible contrast mechanism
Abstract
We have shown that it is possible to image DNA with atomic resolution using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), [R. J. Driscoll, M. G. Youngquist, and J. D. Baldeschwieler, Nature 346, 294 (1990)]. Here we describe that data together with our general observations on STM of DNA in ultrahigh vacuum. We also suggest a possible contrast mechanism for DNA imaging by STM based on wave function orthogonality requirements between a molecule and its substrate. Topographic images are presented which resolve atomic features in addition to the double helical structure and nucleotide pairs of the DNA molecule. Comparisons of experimental STM profiles and modeled contours of the van der Waals surface of A-DNA show excellent correlation. Successive scans show that the imaging is nondestructive and reproducible. For this study, double-stranded DNA was deposited on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite without coating, shadowing, or chemical modification.
Additional Information
© 1991 American Vacuum Society. Received 24 July 1990; accepted 18 September 1990. We wish to thank Charles Spence and Joseph Meier of Dr. Leroy Hood's group in the Caltech Biology division for persuading us to undertake this project and for preparing the DNA solution, and Jonathan Hurley and Manish Sud of Biodesign Inc. for molecular modeling software. MGY is a Dept. of Education fellow. This work has been supported by grants from NIH, ONR, Shell Companies Foundation, and the NSF.Attached Files
Published - YOUjvstb91b.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 12719
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:YOUjvstb91b
- Department of Education
- National Institutes of Health
- Office of Naval Research
- Shell Companies Foundation
- National Science Foundation
- Created
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2008-12-21Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-08Created from EPrint's last_modified field