Micro and nanostructured substrates for DNA fibers combing by forced dewetting

Deposition of elongated DNA fibers can be made by forced dewetting of a DNA solution droplet over a substrate. This technique, called molecular combing allows uncoiling and deposition of DNA fragments on flat glass substrates with the need of a physicochemical anchoring of molecule ends through specific coating of the substrate. Capillary force from a receding meniscus, acting on the coiled part of the molecule allows the elongation of the latter. The use of micro or nanostructured substrates within the same dewetting procedure allows to guide the deposition or to initiate, through a liquid pinning effect to uncoil the molecule without any physicochemical binding.