Atomic Force Microscopy Studies on Circular DNA Structural Changes by Vincristine and Aspirin

In this chapter, we have presented materials and methods to study the interaction between DNA and small molecule drugs by AFM. The detailed AFM imaging of the circular DNA after incubation with �various concentrations of vincristine and aspirin have been demonstrated. The immobilization of DNA fragments on mica surface as well as the force between tip and sample plays an important role for successful imaging of DNA–drug complexes. How to quantitatively describe the conformations and structures of circular DNA molecules and their changes is also introduced. Our work indicates that the AFM is a powerful tool in studying the interaction between DNA and small molecules.