Abstract
The intrinsic dc conductivity of long, individual lambda phage dsDNA molecules has been investigated by ultrasensitive low current-voltage- spectroscopy (IV) under ambient conditions and controlled low humidity inert gas atmosphere on microfabricated metal-insulator-metal gap structures. We found a strong dependence of the measured conductivity on the apparent humidity, which we attribute to capillary condensation of water to the immobilized DNA molecules, giving rise to additional ionic currents. Additional IV-spectroscopy experiments under controlled argon atmosphere always revealed a significant drop in electrical conductivity to 4 × 10-15 A V-1 μm-1, indicating almost no considerable contribution of electrical long range charge transport.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 91-95 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Biotechnology |
Volume | 112 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 26 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Current-voltage spectroscopy
- DNA conductivity
- Microstructures
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Bioengineering
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology