Controllable concentric electric field line distribution for simultaneous separation of DNA

Abstract

An approach for the controllable separation and concentration of nucleic acid using a circular nonuniform electric field was proposed and developed. Using six different lengths of DNA molecules as standard samples, the distribution of the gradient electric field was increased from the outer circular electrode to the inner rod-shaped electrode, contributing to the migration of DNA molecules at a velocity gradient towards the region with the strongest inner electric field. The DNA molecules were arranged in a distribution of concentric circles that aligned with the distribution of concentric equipotential lines. The concentration of DNA multiplied with the alternation of radius. As a result, this platform allowed simultaneous DNA separation, achieving a resolution range of 1.17-3.03 through an extended electrophoresis time, resulting in enhanced concentration factors of 1.08-6.27. Moreover, the manipulation of the relative height of the inner and outer electrodes enabled precise control over the distribution and the deflection degree of electric field lines, leading to accurate control over DNA deflection.

Keywords: Concentration; DNA; Gel electrophoresis; Nonuniform electric field; Separation.