Separation of long DNA molecules in a microfabricated entropic trap array.
A nanofluidic channel device, consisting of many entropic traps, was designed and fabricated for the separation of long DNA molecules. The channel comprises narrow constrictions and wider regions that cause size-dependent trapping of DNA at the onset of a constriction. This process creates electrophoretic mobility differences, thus enabling efficient separation without the use of a gel matrix or pulsed electric fields. Samples of long DNA molecules (5000 to approximately 160,000 base pairs) were efficiently separated into bands in 15-millimeter-long channels. Multiple-channel devices operating in parallel were demonstrated. The efficiency, compactness, and ease of fabrication of the device suggest the possibility of more practical integrated DNA analysis systems.
Han
J
J
School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Craighead
H G
HG
D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004560:Electricity; D004586:Electrophoresis; D019277:Entropy; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D013997:Time Factors
D004247:DNA