Dynamics of single polymers in a stagnation flow induced by electrokinetics

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Dec 31;93(26 Pt 1):268105. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.268105. Epub 2004 Dec 20.

Abstract

An electrokinetics-induced stagnation flow was created inside a microscale cross-channel. Compared to hydrodynamic-induced microfluidics, this flow system can be readily assembled and the operation is very simple due to a low pressure drop. Through image analysis, a fairly homogeneous, two-dimensional elongational flow was observed. The initial conformation of DNA molecules and residence time inside the flow field play important roles in determining the extent of DNA stretching. A coarse-grain molecular simulation agrees reasonably well with experimental observations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Electrochemistry / methods*
  • Electrophoresis, Microchip / methods*
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • DNA