Molecular Combing of DNA: Methods and Applications

Abstract

First proposed in 1994, molecular combing of DNA is a technique that allowsadsorption and alignment of DNA on the surface with no need for prior modi-fication of the molecule. Since then, many variations of the original methodhave been devised and used in a wide range of applications from genomicstudies to nanoelectronics. While molecular combing has been applied in avariety of DNA-related studies, no comprehensive review has been publishedon different combing methods proposed so far. In this review, the underly-ing mechanisms of molecular combing of DNA are described followed bydiscussion of the main methods in molecular combing as well as its majorapplications in nanotechnology.