Can the scanning tunneling microscope sequence DNA?

Stuart Lindsay, M. Philipp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

A revolutionary new microscope, the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), can image some surfaces at atomic resolution, even in air or water. It can produce high-resolution images of DNA, and we outline what we know of its mechanism, concluding that it may be able to sequence DNA. This application would require major advances in sample preparation in order for the technique to compete with conventional methods. On the other hand, the STM may provide a very useful alternative to gels for probing sequence-directed structural features.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8-13
Number of pages6
JournalGenetic Analysis - Biomolecular Engineering
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Genetics

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