Immobilization and stretching of DNA molecules above a lithographed surface

Abstract

We present a method to obtain numerous stretched DNA molecules above a patterned surface. Using standard micro-lithography procedures, we made a patterned surface allowing the fixation DNA molecules by one end on functional hydrophobic strips. DNA molecules are stretched by a hydrodynamic flow. Under these conditions, we observe labeled elongated DNA molecules attached by their ends between the hydrophobic strips above the lithographed surface. We anticipate that the simplicity of this technique will lead to the development of numerous applications, such as the study of protein–DNA interactions at the single molecule level.