Decoding the Code of Life
Optics & Photonics Focus
Volume 6 Story 3 - 31/7/2009

A zero mode waveguide used for real time sequencing of a DNA molecule

A single molecule of DNA bound to DNA polymerase is immobilized at the bottom of a zero mode waveguide, which is illuminated from below by laser light. The color of the emitted fluorescence indicates the present nucleotide being added to the chain.
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A zero mode waveguide used for real time sequencing of a DNA molecule. A single molecule of DNA bound to DNA polymerase is immobilized at the bottom of a zero mode waveguide, which is illuminated from below by laser light. The color of the emitted fluorescence indicates the present nucleotide being added to the chain.