A new system for studying single polymer dynamics using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was developed in this new study. Previously, double-stranded DNA has been used but this semi-flexible biomolecule has markedly different properties compared to flexible synthetic polymers. A straightforward synthesis technique based on rolling circle replication was developed to generate long strands of fluorescently labelled ssDNA, where intramolecular base-pair formation was prevented. The labelled ssDNA molecules were directly imaged in a microfluidic device. Christopher Brockman, Sun Ju Kim and Charles M. Schroeder, Soft Matter, 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1SM05297G.
…And by the same authors: a highlight article on ‘Model systems for single molecule polymer dynamics’, which discusses model polymer systems in the context of “ideal” and “real” chain behaviour. Folarin Latinwo and Charles M. Schroeder, Soft Matter, 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1SM05298E.
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