Morphology characterization and single-molecule study of DNA-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide complex.

DNA compaction induced by dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) is studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and magnetic tweezers. The morphology of DNA-DTAB complex is dependent on the DTAB concentration and incubation time. With magnesium ions, the complexes show rod- and network-like structures after approximately 5 min of incubation at low DTAB concentrations.