*2.6. Characterization of Assembled DOCs Micellar Structures by AFM*

Atomic force microscopy was performed using a MultiMode 8™ scanning probe microscope (Bruker, Santa Barbara, CA, USA) connected to a NanoScope® V controller (Veeco, Plainview, NY, USA). The images were obtained using tapping mode in air with NSG10\_DLC cantilevers (typical curvature radius 1 nm, resonant frequency 255 kHz, force constant 11.5 N/m) from NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments (Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia). Oligonucleotides containing dodecyl groups were diluted to 1.5 μM in TAM buffer. The reactions were equilibrated for 3 h at 25 ◦C before 6 μL of this solution was deposited onto a freshly cleaved mica surface (7 × 7 mm, NT-MDT Spectrum Instruments, Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia) and allowed to adsorb for 5 min. The surface was then washed thrice with 200 μL of 18 MΩ grade water and dried by strong argon flow. Samples were dried for 10 min prior to imaging.
