Mapping the placement of oligonucleotide molecules using scanning probe microscopy

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces Vol. 83; no. 1; pp. 10 - 15
• Main Authors: Boyd, Robert D., Winkless, Laurie, Cuenat, Alexandre, Kazakova, Olga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Base Sequence; bioactive properties; Biochemistry; colloids; Devices; Force; Force measurement; Functionalisation; gold; Gold - chemistry; hybridization; image analysis; Liquids; Mechanical Phenomena; microscopy; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Scanning Probe - methods; Molecular Sequence Data; Oligonucleotide; Oligonucleotides; Oligonucleotides - chemistry; Oligonucleotides - genetics; Patterned substrates; Scanning probe microscopy; Surface chemistry; Surface Properties; Templates; Atomic force microscopy; Templates; Patterned substrates; Oligonucleotide; Functionalisation; Force
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.10.022

[Display omitted] ▶ Interactions measured between complementary 75mer oligonucleotides – 80pN. ▶ Interactions could be localised with lateral resolution of better than 150nm. ▶ Great potential in the development of novel bio-nanotechnology devices. The successful development of novel bio-inspired devices requires the ability to place specific biomolecules on a substrate with nanometre precision, in such a way so that their bioactivity is retained. A method is required that can verify this bio-modification. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) can image and probe a surface in a liquid environment with nanometre resolution. Using short chain complementary oligonucleotides as the bioactive molecules we have modified continuous and patterned gold substrates and SPM probes. We demonstrated that the attached oligonucleotides retained their biological activity after surface attachment with a hybridization interaction force that varies between 50 and 400pN as measured by SPM force measurements. Finally, the position of the attached oligonucleotides was determined with nanometre resolution. Thus we have demonstrated the capabilities of SPM in the application of the development of substrates and templates suitable for forming the basis of novel and innovative devices.