Diffusion of DNA in nanoslits

Elizabeth A. Strychalski; Stephen L. Levy; Harold G. Craighead

doi:10.1021/ma801313w

Diffusion of DNA in nanoslits

Elizabeth A. Strychalski, Stephen L. Levy, Harold G. Craighead

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

We observed the free diffusion of individual 10 kbp, (1/2)λ (24.2 kbp), and A (48.5 kbp) double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules in fused-silica nanoslits with depths from 541 to 24 nm using epifluorescence video microscopy. Diffusivity, D, scaled with nanoslit depth, h, according to D ∝ h^α, where a was 0.47 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.06, and 0.47 ± 0.05 for 10 kbp, (1/2)λ, and λ DNA, respectively, in disagreement with the value of two-thirds predicted by blob theory. We observed no change in scaling behavior for h less than the persistence length of DNA, as predicted by reflecting rod theory. The scaling of D with DNA length, N, followed D ∝ N^-1, indicating hydrodynamic screening in accordance with Rouse dynamics. Our results establish these scaling exponents for smaller h and greater DNA confinement than previous studies.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	7716-7721
Number of pages	6
Journal	Macromolecules
Volume	41
Issue number	20
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/ma801313w
State	Published - Oct 28 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Organic Chemistry
Polymers and Plastics
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Chemistry

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abstract = "We observed the free diffusion of individual 10 kbp, (1/2)λ (24.2 kbp), and A (48.5 kbp) double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules in fused-silica nanoslits with depths from 541 to 24 nm using epifluorescence video microscopy. Diffusivity, D, scaled with nanoslit depth, h, according to D ∝ hα, where a was 0.47 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.06, and 0.47 ± 0.05 for 10 kbp, (1/2)λ, and λ DNA, respectively, in disagreement with the value of two-thirds predicted by blob theory. We observed no change in scaling behavior for h less than the persistence length of DNA, as predicted by reflecting rod theory. The scaling of D with DNA length, N, followed D ∝ N-1, indicating hydrodynamic screening in accordance with Rouse dynamics. Our results establish these scaling exponents for smaller h and greater DNA confinement than previous studies.",

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T1 - Diffusion of DNA in nanoslits

AU - Strychalski, Elizabeth A.

AU - Levy, Stephen L.

AU - Craighead, Harold G.

PY - 2008/10/28

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N2 - We observed the free diffusion of individual 10 kbp, (1/2)λ (24.2 kbp), and A (48.5 kbp) double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules in fused-silica nanoslits with depths from 541 to 24 nm using epifluorescence video microscopy. Diffusivity, D, scaled with nanoslit depth, h, according to D ∝ hα, where a was 0.47 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.06, and 0.47 ± 0.05 for 10 kbp, (1/2)λ, and λ DNA, respectively, in disagreement with the value of two-thirds predicted by blob theory. We observed no change in scaling behavior for h less than the persistence length of DNA, as predicted by reflecting rod theory. The scaling of D with DNA length, N, followed D ∝ N-1, indicating hydrodynamic screening in accordance with Rouse dynamics. Our results establish these scaling exponents for smaller h and greater DNA confinement than previous studies.

AB - We observed the free diffusion of individual 10 kbp, (1/2)λ (24.2 kbp), and A (48.5 kbp) double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules in fused-silica nanoslits with depths from 541 to 24 nm using epifluorescence video microscopy. Diffusivity, D, scaled with nanoslit depth, h, according to D ∝ hα, where a was 0.47 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.06, and 0.47 ± 0.05 for 10 kbp, (1/2)λ, and λ DNA, respectively, in disagreement with the value of two-thirds predicted by blob theory. We observed no change in scaling behavior for h less than the persistence length of DNA, as predicted by reflecting rod theory. The scaling of D with DNA length, N, followed D ∝ N-1, indicating hydrodynamic screening in accordance with Rouse dynamics. Our results establish these scaling exponents for smaller h and greater DNA confinement than previous studies.

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Diffusion of DNA in nanoslits

Abstract

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