Spotting DNA Cages with Blinking DNA (VIDEO)

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard

Caption

To create supersharp images of their cage-shaped DNA polyhedral, the scientists used DNA-PAINT, a microscopy method that uses short strands of DNA (yellow) labeled with a fluorescent chemical (green) to bind and release partner strands on polyhedra corners, causing them to blink. The blinking corners reveal the shape of structures far too small to be seen with a conventional light microscope.

Credit

Harvard's Wyss Institute and Harvard Medical School

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.