Back to Search
Start Over
Probing the organization and dynamics of two DNA chains trapped in a nanofluidic cavity
- Source :
- Soft matter. 14(42)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Here we present a pneumatically-actuated nanofluidic platform that has the capability of dynamically controlling the confinement environment of macromolecules in solution. Using a principle familiar from classic devices based on soft-lithography, the system uses pneumatic pressure to deflect a thin nitride lid into a nanoslit, confining molecules in an array of cavities embedded in the slit. We use this system to quantify the interactions of multiple confined DNA chains, a key problem in polymer physics with important implications for nanofluidic device performance and DNA partitioning/organization in bacteria and the eukaryotes. In particular, we focus on the problem of two-chain confinement, using differential staining of the chains to independently assess the chain conformation, determine the degree of partitioning/mixing in the cavities and assess coupled diffusion of the chain center-of-mass positions. We find that confinement of more than one chain in the cavity can have a drastic impact on the polymer dynamics and conformation.
- Subjects :
- chemistry.chemical_classification
Materials science
Dynamics (mechanics)
02 engineering and technology
General Chemistry
Polymer
DNA
010402 general chemistry
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
Condensed Matter Physics
01 natural sciences
0104 chemical sciences
Diffusion
chemistry
Chain (algebraic topology)
Chemical physics
Polymer physics
Molecule
Nanotechnology
Diffusion (business)
0210 nano-technology
Mixing (physics)
Macromolecule
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17446848
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 42
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Soft matter
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....373549340b7eb16c52a9d7a38f87b58c