Experimental and numerical analysis of DNA nanostrand array formation by molecular combing on microwell-patterned surface

DNA molecules can be stretched and immobilized onto a solid surface containing surface microstructures, to form a well-defined array by dewetting the surface with DNA solution. However, the mechanism of DNA stretching, immobilizing and patterning in this molecular combing process is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated the generation of stretched DNA nanostrand arrays with different orientations and morphologies by controlling the dewetting direction on a microwell-patterned surface. We also simulated the dewetting process based on a deforming body-fitted grid approach. The simulation results provide insights for explaining the stretching, immobilizing and patterning of DNA molecules observed in the experiments.