Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 13: Posters: DNA/RNA and related enzymes

BP 13.4: Poster

Tuesday, April 1, 2014, 09:30–12:30, P1

Measuring DNA translocation through nanopores in graphene and carbon nanomenbranes with Optical Tweezers — •Sebastian Knust, Andre Spiering, Andy Sischka, and Dario Anselmetti — Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanoscience, Faculty of Physics, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany

The forces acting on DNA during translocation through a nanopore were measured with Optical Tweezers. We developed a video-based force detection and analysis system allowing for virtually interference-free axial force measurements with sub-piconewton precision [1].

We previously measured the translocation of dsDNA through 20 nm thick Si2N3 membranes (0.1 pN/mV for pores ≥ 30 nm) [2, 3]. Carbon nanomembranes and graphene with a thickness of 3 nm and 0.3 nm respectively allow for even more sensitive measurements.

We show the controlled translocation of a single dsDNA strand attached to a microbead with an overall force resolution of ±0.5 pN at a sample rate of 123 Hz.

[1] S. Knust et. al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 103704 (2012)

[2] A. Spiering et. al., Nano Lett. 11, 2978 (2011)

[3] A. Sischka et. al., in preparation