Role of Molecular Size in Ratchet Fractionation

Lotien Richard Huang, Pascal Silberzan, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt, Edward C. Cox, James C. Sturm, Robert H. Austin, and Harold Craighead
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 178301 – Published 4 October 2002

Abstract

We show the importance of finite particle size in microfluidic asymmetric continuous-flow diffusion arrays, specifically the critical nature of the particle size with respect to the barrier gaps. We show that particles much smaller than the barrier gap follow individual field lines through narrow gaps and are poorly fractionated. In contrast, particles comparable to the gap size lose memory of their incoming field line and can be fractionated with high resolution. We demonstrate this effect using a new technological approach to create very straight and narrow injection bands in such arrays, and completely resolve bands of DNA of lengths 48 500 and 167 000 base pairs.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 April 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.178301

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Lotien Richard Huang1, Pascal Silberzan4, Jonas O. Tegenfeldt3, Edward C. Cox3, James C. Sturm1, Robert H. Austin2, and Harold Craighead5

  • 1Center for Photonics and Optoelectronic Materials (POEM), Department of Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
  • 2Center for Photonics and Optoelectronic Materials (POEM), Department of Physics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
  • 3Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
  • 4Institut Curie, UMR CNRS 168-11, rue P & M Curie, 75005 Paris, France
  • 5Department of Applied Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 89, Iss. 17 — 21 October 2002

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×