@inbook{813512d8cd72416188d2c5ae1503da7e,
title = "Mica functionalization for imaging of dna and protein-dna complexes with atomic force microscopy",
abstract = "Surface preparation is a key step for reliable and reproducible imaging of DNA and protein-DNA complexes with atomic force microscopy (AFM). This article describes the approaches for chemical functionalization of the mica surface. One approach utilizes 3-aminopropyl-trietoxy silane (APTES), enabling one to obtain a smooth surface termed AP-mica. This surface binds nucleic acids and nucleoprotein complexes in a wide range of ionic strengths, in the absence of divalent cations and in a broad range of pH. Another method utilizes aminopropyl silatrane (APS) to yield an APS-mica surface. The advantage of APS-mica compared with AP-mica is the ability to obtain reliable and reproducible time-lapse images in aqueous solutions. The chapter describes the methodologies for the preparation of AP-mica and APS-mica surfaces and the preparation of samples for AFM imaging. The protocol for synthesis and puri fication of APS is also provided. The applications are illustrated with a number of examples",
keywords = "AFM, Atomic force microscopy, DNA structure and dynamics, Mica functionalization, Protein-DNA complexes, Silanes, Silatranes, Surface chemistry",
author = "Shlyakhtenko Luda and Alexander, {A. Gall} and Lyubchenko, {Yuri L}",
year = "2012",
doi = "10.1007/978-1-62703-56-4_14",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781627030557",
volume = "931",
series = "Methods in Molecular Biology",
publisher = "Humana Press Inc.",
pages = "295--312",
booktitle = "Cell Imaging Techniques: Methods and Protocols",
}