Study and visualize DNA transcription mechanisms at the nanoscale

Use Dynamic Single-Molecule to obtain the full understanding of transcription mechanisms
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Dynamic Single-Molecule

Revealing biomolecular insights never before available

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Why Dynamic Single-Molecule?

The complexity of transcription mechanisms

DNA transcription is the key element that defines cellular identity and status. By clearly understanding the mechanism of gene regulation and expression at this level scientists will be able to grasp many causes of diseases and develop possible cures. Until now, molecular biology and biochemistry methods have highly contributed to uncovering the transcription mechanism. Without looking at the dynamics of the individual components in real-time and at the molecular level, it will not be possible to fully comprehend this complex process.
Overcome these challenges with Dynamic Single-Molecule technology through:
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Real-time observation of DNA exonuclease dynamics at base-pair level

The high spatial sensitivity of the C-Trap optical tweezers systems makes it possible to measure changes in DNA length at the nanometer level. This capability can be used to indirectly measure the activity of enzymes as they process DNA molecules.

Case study


In this experiment, the exonuclease activity of the T7 polymerase was investigated. This is a DNA polymerase from the T7 bacteriophage that copies DNA strands in the 5’→ 3′ direction, and also features exonuclease activity. For this analysis, an optically trapped double-stranded DNA was held at a constant force that induced exonucleolytic activity of the polymerase. By removing nucleotide after nucleotide from one strand, the polymerase was unwinding the dsDNA. As the length of single-stranded DNA is longer compared to its double-stranded state, the unwinding resulted in a gradual increase in the end-to-end distance of the DNA (Figure a). This change in length was directly translated into the activity of the T7 DNA polymerase and the number of nucleotides it processed over time (Figure b). Specifically, short activity bursts ranging between 3 and 10 nucleotides were revealed, interspersed by frequent pauses of varying duration. This provided deeper insights into the dynamics of T7 exonuclease activity.

The C-Trap Optical Tweezer systems are highly valuable in providing novel insights into the mechanism of DNA-processing enzymes, as they enable performing single-molecule measurements of the stepping behavior of biomolecular motors along nucleic acids.

Figure b Activity bursts of T7 DNA polymerase performing force-induced exonucleolysis on a double-stranded DNA.

Figure a Force-distance curve of double-stranded DNA (blue) and single-stranded DNA (red).

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C-Trap

Biomolecular interactions re-imagined

The C-Trap® provides the world’s first dynamic single-molecule microscope to allow simultaneous manipulation and visualization of single-molecule interactions in real time.

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Publications

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Sequence-dependent surface condensation of a pioneer transcription factor on DNA

Morin, J. A. et al.
2022
Nature Physics
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DNA Transcription
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Relevant resources

Learn as much as you can by reading up on our application notes or marathoning our webinars.

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The C-Trap uncovers new insights into the mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling

The C-Trap uncovers new insights into the mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling

Scientific update

DNA-Binding proteins

DNA Repair

DNA Replication

DNA Transcription

DNA Polymerase Undergoes Rapid Exchange and Retains Memory at Replication Forks

DNA Polymerase Undergoes Rapid Exchange and Retains Memory at Replication Forks

Scientific update
Chenlu Yu, PhD

DNA Transcription

DNA Replication

Revealing MeCP2 Mechanism: Single-Molecule Insights into Epigenetic Regulation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Revealing MeCP2 Mechanism: Single-Molecule Insights into Epigenetic Regulation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Scientific update
Chenlu Yu, PhD

DNA Organization

DNA Replication

DNA Transcription

Deciphering the Dynamic Mechanisms of Thymine DNA Glycosylase (TDG) in DNA Repair

Deciphering the Dynamic Mechanisms of Thymine DNA Glycosylase (TDG) in DNA Repair

Scientific update
Chenlu Yu, PhD

DNA Organization

DNA Repair

DNA Transcription

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SITC 2025

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April 22, 2025
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CAR-TCR Summit 2025

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April 22, 2025
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