On-chip controlled surfactant-DNA coil-globule transition by rapid solvent exchange using hydrodynamic flow focusing

Langmuir. 2014 Nov 11;30(44):13125-36. doi: 10.1021/la5035382. Epub 2014 Oct 29.

Abstract

This paper presents a microfluidic method for precise control of the size and polydispersity of surfactant-DNA nanoparticles. A mixture of surfactant and DNA dispersed in 35% ethanol is focused between two streams of pure water in a microfluidic channel. As a result, a rapid change of solvent quality takes place in the central stream, and the surfactant-bound DNA molecules undergo a fast coil-globule transition. By adjusting the concentrations of DNA and surfactant, fine-tuning of the nanoparticle size, down to a hydrodynamic diameter of 70 nm with a polydispersity index below 0.2, can be achieved with a good reproducibility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteriophage lambda / chemistry
  • Cattle
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Hydrodynamics*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Surface-Active Agents
  • DNA