Between Dec 19, 2024 and Jan 2, 2025, datasets can be submitted to DRUM but will not be processed until after the break. Staff will not be available to answer email during this period, and will not be able to provide DOIs until after Jan 2. If you are in need of a DOI during this period, consider Dryad or OpenICPSR. Submission responses to the UDC may also be delayed during this time.

Browsing by Subject "DNA electrophoresis"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Modeling DNA electrophoresis in confined geometries.
    (2010-08) Laachi, Nabil
    Size-based DNA separation is at the heart of numerous biological applications. While gel electrophoresis remains widely utilized to fractionate DNA according to their size, the method has several shortcomings. Recent advances in micro- and nano-fabrication techniques engendered several microfabricated devices aimed at addressing some of the limitations of gel electrophoresis for DNA separations. In this thesis, we employ a combination of analytical and computational methods to characterize the electrophoretic motion of DNA molecules in microfabricated, confining geometries. In particular, we consider three situations: (i) the migration of short DNA in nanofilters (a succession of narrow slits, connecting deep wells) under a high electric field; (ii) the metastable unhooking of a long DNA chain wrapped around a cylindrical post; and (iii) the dynamics of long DNA chains in an array of spherical cavities connected by nanopores. We provide insights on the physical mechanisms underlying the transport of DNA in such geometries. Useful guidelines for the optimal design of new separation devices result from the fundamental understanding gained by the approach we propose.