Control of DNA capture by nanofluidic transistors

ACS Nano. 2012 Aug 28;6(8):6767-75. doi: 10.1021/nn3014917. Epub 2012 Jul 11.

Abstract

We report the use of an array of electrically gated ~200 nm solid-state pores as nanofluidic transistors to manipulate the capture and passage of DNA. The devices are capable of reversibly altering the rate of DNA capture by over 3 orders of magnitude using sub-1 V biasing of a gate electrode. This efficient gating originates from the counter-balance of electrophoresis and electroosmosis, as revealed by quantitative numerical simulations. Such a reversible electronically tunable biomolecular switch may be used to manipulate nucleic acid delivery in a fluidic circuit, and its development is an important first step toward active control of DNA motion through solid-state nanopores for sensing applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / isolation & purification*
  • DNA / radiation effects
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Micromanipulation / instrumentation*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Transistors, Electronic*

Substances

  • DNA