Berlin 2008 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 26: Posters II

BP 26.26: Poster

Thursday, February 28, 2008, 17:00–19:30, Poster A

Quantitative Optical Tweezers for Single Molecule Manipulations in 3D — •Andy Sischka, Christoph Kleimann, Katja Tönsing, and Dario Anselmetti — Experimentelle Biophysik & Angewandte Nanowissenschaft, Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielelfeld

We introduce a novel way of measuring minute forces and manipulate single molecules like DNA by means of a quantitative optical tweezers system that is operated in reflection mode using a single laser beam [1].

Our optical setup is based on a compact, stable optical tweezers configuration (2D) that is compatible with an inverted optical microscope (Zeiss Axiovert) [2] and was modified in order to allow quantitative analysis and molecular manipulation in three dimensions (3D) with remarkably high precision.

The optical setup was tested by manipulating individual λ-DNA molecules in the vicinity of a nanopore similar to a previous study [3], and allowed quantitative single molecule experiments with minimal optical interference, and insights into the threading dynamics of DNA into a nanopore.

[1] A. Sischka et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum., submitted, 2008.

[2] A. Sischka et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 4827, 2003.

[3] U.F. Keyser et al. Nature Phys 2, 473, 2006.