Insulating behavior of lambda-DNA on the micron scale

We have investigated the electrical conductivity of lambda-DNA using DNA covalently bonded to Au electrodes. Thiol-modified dTTP was incorporated into the "sticky" ends of bacteriophage lambda-DNA using DNA polymerase. Two-probe measurements on such molecules provide a hard lower bound for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2002-11, Vol.89 (19), p.198102-198102, Article 198102
Main Authors: Zhang, Y, Austin, R H, Kraeft, J, Cox, E C, Ong, N P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteriophage lambda - genetics
DNA, Viral - chemistry
Electric Conductivity
Electrodes
Gold - chemistry
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Summary:We have investigated the electrical conductivity of lambda-DNA using DNA covalently bonded to Au electrodes. Thiol-modified dTTP was incorporated into the "sticky" ends of bacteriophage lambda-DNA using DNA polymerase. Two-probe measurements on such molecules provide a hard lower bound for the resistivity rho>10(6)Omega cm at bias potentials up to 20 V, in conflict with recent claims of moderate to high conductivity. By direct imaging, we show that the molecules are present after the measurements. We stress the importance of eliminating salt residues in these measurements.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.198102