Abstract
Fluorescence from a single DNA molecule passing through a laser beam is proportional to the size (contour length) of the molecule, and molecules of different sizes can be counted with equal efficiencies. Single-molecule fluorescence can thus determine the average length of the molecules in a sample and hence the frequency of double-strand breaks induced by various treatments. Ionizing radiation-induced frank double-strand breaks can thus be quantified by single-molecule sizing. Moreover, multiple classes of clustered damages involving damaged bases and abasic sites, alone or in combination with frank single-strand breaks, can be quantified by converting them to double-strand breaks by chemical or enzymatic treatments. For a given size range of DNA molecules, single-molecule sizing is as or more sensitive than gel electrophoresis, and requires several orders-of-magnitude less DNA to determine damage levels.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1281-1290 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Biophysical Journal |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 2 I |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics