Novel glass slide preparation system for single DNA molecules analysis

Abstract

Here we propose an easy to build up and apply glass slide preparation system for single DNA molecules stretching. It is based on fast and simple coating of a solid glass with a cocktail of acrylic monomers that are easily polymerized via ultraviolet illumination. The acrylated slides are used to successfully stretch DNA molecules in a broader pH range compared to that of the commonly used amino-silanes. Moreover, the single DNA molecules that are stretched on the acrylated slides give a brighter and more photostable signal when visualized under a fluorescent microscope.