DNA Base-Pairing Visualized by Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

ORAL

Abstract

We show that fragile biological samples including DNA can be imaged using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) without metal staining. Reporting statistical analysis of large datasets concerning single-strand and double-stranded aqueous DNA trapped in creases between paired graphene sheets, we visualize individual molecules with ~1 nm spatial resolution and ~100 ms time resolution for up to ~3 min, apparently without significant perturbation from the electron beam. Inspecting the time-dependent base-pairing of single-stranded DNA base-pairing, some pathways are as anticipated while others are surprising.

*The authors thank taxpayers who supported this work through the Korean Institute for Basic Science, project code IBS-R020-D1.

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Presenters

  • Huan Wang

    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter

Authors

  • Huan Wang

    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter

  • Bo Li

    • Center for Soft and Living Matter, Korea Institute of Basic Science
    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter

  • Ye-Jin Kim

    • Center for soft and living matter, Institute for Basic Sciences
    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter

  • Oh-Hoon Kwon

    • Center for soft and living matter, Institute for Basic Sciences
    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter

  • Steve Granick

    • Institute for basic science
    • Center for soft and living matter, Institute for Basic Sciences
    • Institute for Basic Science
    • Center of Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science
    • Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
    • Center for Soft and Living Matter, Korea Institute of Basic Science
    • IBS Center for Soft and Living Matter