DNA transport by a micromachined Brownian ratchet device.
We have micromachined a silicon-chip device that transports DNA with a Brownian ratchet that rectifies the Brownian motion of microscopic particles. Transport properties for a DNA 50-mer agree with theoretical predictions, and the DNA diffusion constant agrees with previous experiments. This type of micromachine could provide a generic pump or separation component for DNA or other charged species as part of a microscale lab-on-a-chip. A device with reduced feature size could produce a size-based separation of DNA molecules, with applications including the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms.
Bader
J S
JS
CuraGen Corporation, 555 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. jsbader@curagen.com
Hammond
R W
RW
Henck
S A
SA
Deem
M W
MW
McDermott
G A
GA
Bustillo
J M
JM
Simpson
J W
JW
Mulhern
G T
GT
Rothberg
J M
JM
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004058:Diffusion; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D004247:DNA