Wi-Fi Live-Streaming Centrifuge Force Microscope for Benchtop Single-Molecule Experiments

The ability to apply controlled forces to individual molecules has been revolutionary in shaping our understanding of biophysics in areas as diverse as dynamic bond strength, biological motor operation, and DNA replication. However, the methodology to perform single-molecule experiments remains relatively inaccessible because of cost and complexity. In 2010, we introduced the centrifuge force microscope (CFM) as a platform for accessible and high-throughput single-molecule experimentation. The CFM consists of a rotating microscope with which prescribed centrifugal forces can be applied to microsphere-tethered biomolecules. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a next-generation Wi-Fi CFM that offers unprecedented ease of use and flexibility in design. The modular CFM unit fits within a standard benchtop centrifuge and connects by Wi-Fi to an external computer for live control and streaming at near gigabit speeds. The use of commercial wireless hardware allows for flexibility in programming and provides a streamlined upgrade path as Wi-Fi technology advances. To facilitate ease of use, detailed build and setup instructions, as well as LabVIEW-based control software and MATLAB-based analysis software, are provided. We demonstrate the instrument’s performance by analysis of force-dependent dissociation of short DNA duplexes of 7, 8, and 9 bp. We showcase the sensitivity of the approach by resolving distinct dissociation kinetic rates for a 7 bp duplex in which one G-C basepair is mutated to an A-T basepair.