Atomic force microscopy imaging and pulling of nucleic acids.

Recent advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of nucleic acids include the visualization of DNA and RNA incorporated into devices and patterns, and into structures based on their sequences or sequence recognition. AFM imaging of nuclear structures has contributed to advances in telomere research and to our understanding of nucleosome formation. Highlights of force spectroscopy or pulling of nucleic acids include the use of DNA as a programmable force sensor, and the analysis of RNA flexibility and drug binding to DNA.