Alignment and sensitive detection of DNA by a moving interface

A Bensimon, A Simon, A Chiffaudel, V Croquette… - Science, 1994 - science.org
A Bensimon, A Simon, A Chiffaudel, V Croquette, F Heslot, D Bensimon
Science, 1994science.org
In a process called" molecular combing," DNA molecules attached at one end to a solid
surface were extended and aligned by a receding air-water interface and left to dry on the
surface. Molecular combing was observed to extend the length of the bacteriophage λ DNA
molecule to 21.5±0.5 micrometers (unextended length, 16.2 micrometers). With the combing
process, it was possible to (i) extend a chromosomal Escherichia coli DNA fragment (106
base pairs) and (ii) detect a minute quantity of DNA (103 molecules). These results open the …
In a process called "molecular combing," DNA molecules attached at one end to a solid surface were extended and aligned by a receding air-water interface and left to dry on the surface. Molecular combing was observed to extend the length of the bacteriophage λ DNA molecule to 21.5 ± 0.5 micrometers (unextended length, 16.2 micrometers). With the combing process, it was possible to (i) extend a chromosomal Escherichia coli DNA fragment (106 base pairs) and (ii) detect a minute quantity of DNA (103 molecules). These results open the way for a faster physical mapping of the genome and for the detection of small quantities of target DNA from a population of molecules.
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