Exponential DNA replication by laminar convection.
It is shown that laminar thermal convection can drive a chain reaction of DNA replication. The convection is triggered by a constant horizontal temperature gradient, moving molecules along stationary paths between hot and cold regions. This implements the temperature cycling for the classical polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplification is shown to be exponential and reaches 100,000-fold gains within 25 min. Besides direct applications, the mechanism might have implications for the molecular evolution of life.
Braun
Dieter
D
Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA. mail@dieterb.de
Goddard
Noel L
NL
Libchaber
Albert
A
D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral