Insights into Nucleic Acids Structural Dynamics with Single Molecule FRET Studies

Abstract

Single molecule methods allow following individual molecules in action and thus obtaining a direct view of how they work providing insights into the “machinery” of biological systems. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a versatile technique that allows investigating molecular interactions, folding pathways and structural dynamics of biomolecules on the nanoscale.DNA can form a wide range of natural and artificial functional structures. We focus here on different complex structures, such as DNA G-quadruplexes and a DNA actuator device. Their conformational diversity and dynamics are revealed through single molecule FRET microscopy and the detailed analysis of these experiments. We will also discuss ways to control the structural dynamics properties of these DNA molecules. Direct observation of the molecules in action allows providing a detailed picture of structural heterogeneity and dynamics.