Channels

 

Special Offers & Promotions

 

 

Latest News

 

 

View Channel

New Products

 

 

View Channel

Video Presentations

 

 

View Channel

Separation Science

 

 

View Channel

Microscopy & Image Analysis

 

 

View Channel

Laboratory Automation & IT Solutions

 

 

View Channel

 

JPK Report on the Use of the NanoWizard AFM System at TU Braunschweig to Study the Properties of DNA and DNA Nanostructures.

publication date: Nov 7, 2014
 | 
author/source: JPK Instruments

JPK Instruments, a world-leading manufacturer of nanoanalytic instrumentation for research in life sciences and soft matter, reports on the use of their AFM system, the NanoWizard®, in the Nanobiosciences Group of the Institute of Physical & Theoretical Chemistry at the Technical University of Braunschweig.

nanowizardsIt is being used to study DNA and DNA nanostructures. 

Dr Philip Tinnefeld is Professor of Biophysical Chemistry at the Technische Universität Braunschweig where he runs a laboratory which specialises in the field of NanoBioScience. His group has pioneered the integration of DNA origami with optical single-molecule spectroscopy over the last few years. In this context, they have demonstrated some of the early applications where the breakthroughs of DNA nanotechnology achieved by others could actually lead to practically useful products and assays. DNA nanostructures (which they commonly refer to as DNA origamis) are applied for calibration standards known as “nanorulers;” as breadboards for energy transfer cascades and switches; as scaffolds for the production of nanoantennas; as biocompatible surfaces, etcetera. Currently, the group is working on new amplification mechanisms for diagnostic applications. 

Asked about his motivation to use atomic force microscopy, AFM, in his work, Dr Tinnefeld said “In all our work with DNA as a material, AFM is one of the prime tools to characterize the DNA nanostructures. A first indication about the quality of DNA nanostructures comes from gel electrophoresis. The second tool is AFM. Other groups also use TEM but we don’t directly have this in the institute and only get images through cooperations. Finally, we often use fluorescence microscopy (super-resolution microscopy or FRET) for further characterization. Our group comes from an optics background. We are specialists in single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy. We also do time-resolved spectroscopy.” 

On choosing a JPK system for this work, Dr Tinnefeld said “We were not familiar with other SPM techniques. Through our initial cooperations when starting to work with DNA origami, we heard that the JPK NanoWizard works well when studying DNA origami. We tested it and it indeed delivered on this promise. Being inexperienced with scanning probe techniques, it was especially beneficial to have the support from the JPK team. They supported us through several visits until we got the hang of using the system” 


more about JPK instruments


more news from JPK instruments 




 

Subscribe to any of our newsletters for the latest on new laboratory products, industry news, case studies and much more!

Newsletters from Lab Bulletin

 

Request your free copies HERE

 

 

 

Popular this Month

Top 10 most popular articles this month

 

 

Today's Picks

 


 

Looking for a Supplier?

Search by company or by product

 


Company Name:

Product:


 

 

 

 

Please note Lab Bulletin does not sell, supply any of the products featured on this website. If you have an enquiry, please use the contact form below the article or company profile and we will send your request to the supplier so that they can contact you directly.

Lab Bulletin is published by newleaf marketing communications ltd.


 

Media Partners

 

Exhibitions & Events