Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 44: Micro- and Nanofluidics I

CPP 44.4: Talk

Thursday, March 17, 2011, 14:45–15:00, ZEU 160

Directed transport of DNA polymer molecules in micro-and nanochannels — •Ronny Sczech¹, Steffen Howitz², and Michael Mertig¹ — ¹Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany — ²GeSiM, Bautzner Landstrasse 45, 01454 Großerkmannsdorf, Germany

DNA molecules can be transported in a nanochannel with help of both electrophoretic and hydrodynamic flow. Transport experiments and theoretical considerations suggest an interaction of electrophoresis, electro-osmosis, and the unique statistical properties of confined polymers. Besides that, the confinement of the device is crucial since it influences the electric field in the nanochannel.

Nanofluidic channels in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were formed by classical nanoimprinting technology combining micro- and nanofluidic features. The feasibility of those hybrid micro- and nanofluidic structures for single molecule observation and manipulation was demonstrated by introducing single molecules of λ-DNA into the channels using optimized parameters for the applied potential and flow.

It was possible to show the manipulation of λ-DNA molecules in PDMS nanochannels with a cross section ≤ 1 µm using epifluorescence microscopy. Once stabilized inside a nanochannel the free diffusion of individual λ-DNA molecules were observed. Diffusivity was compared with previous studies that concentrated on nanoslits and checked for adaptability to blob theory and reflecting rod theory. In this context, electrokinetic concentration of the λ-DNA were observed during the application of an sufficient electrical field.