J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 (1), 8 -12, 2008. 10.1021/jp709652y S1932-7447(70)09652-8
Web Release Date: December 8, 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society

Controlled Translocation of DNA Segments through Nanoelectrode Gaps from Molecular Dynamics

Xiongce Zhao,* Christina M. Payne, and Peter T. Cummings

Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, and Department of Chemical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235

Received: October 2, 2007

In Final Form: November 26, 2007

Abstract:

Molecular dynamics simulations show that electrophoresis of DNA segments through a nanoscale electrode gap can be controlled by applying appropriate biased voltages in the transmembrane direction. The translocation velocities are dependent on both the DNA molecular weight and nucleotide structure. Application of alternating driving fields results in oscillatory motion of DNA inside the gap. Interruption of the driving field can effectively pause the translocation of DNA segments. Results from this work are useful for designing novel sequencing devices.


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