ABSTRACT
The magnetic tweezers has contributed to a unique set of discoveries about both the fundamental physics of nucleic acids and the mechanisms through which enzymes manipulate these polymers. Since its invention more than 20 years ago,1 it has been used to study a wide range of topics including the linear and torsional elasticity of DNA and the activities of protein translocases, topoisomerases, polymerases, and helicases. Here, the basic setup of a magnetic tweezers microscope is covered in addition to specic modications and variations in the technique. Selected examples from the literature are provided throughout in an attempt to survey of the diversity of applications of this technique.
