Nucleic Acid Supercoiling as a Means for Ionic Switching of DNA-Nanoparticle Networks

Oligomeric nanoparticle networks, generated by the self-assembly of bis-biotinylated double-stranded DNA fragments and streptavidin, have been studied by scanning force microscopy (SFM). SFM imaging revealed the presence within the networks of irregular thick DNA molecules, which were often associated with distinct, Y-shaped structural elements. Closer analysis revealed that the Y structures are formed by condensation (thickening and shortening)...