DNA Molecules in Microfluidic Oscillatory Flow

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 38; no. 15; pp. 6680 - 6687
• Main Authors: Chen, Y.-L, Graham, M. D, de Pablo, J. J, Jo, K, Schwartz, D. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 26-07-2005
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; In solution. Condensed state. Thin layers; Miscellaneous; Molecular biophysics; Natural polymers; Physico-chemical properties of biomolecules; Physicochemistry of polymers; Oscillating flow; Chemical solution; Computer simulation; DNA; Chain elongation; Theoretical study; Channel flow; Frequency effect; Microfluidics; Molecular weight property relation; Conformation
• ISSN: 0024-9297; 1520-5835
• DOI: 10.1021/ma050238d

The conformation and dynamics of a single DNA molecule undergoing oscillatory pressure-driven flow in microfluidic channels are studied using Brownian dynamics simulations, accounting for hydrodynamic interactions between segments in the bulk and between the chain and the walls. Oscillatory flow provides a scenario under which the polymers may remain in the channel for an indefinite amount of time as they are stretched and migrate away from the channel walls. We show that by controlling the chain length, flow rate, and oscillatory flow frequency we are able to manipulate the chain extension and the chain migration from the channel walls. The chain stretch and the chain depletion layer thickness near the wall are found to increase as the Weissenberg number increases and as the oscillatory frequency decreases.