Trapping of DNA by Thermophoretic Depletion and Convection

Dieter Braun and Albert Libchaber
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 188103 – Published 14 October 2002

Abstract

Thermophoresis depletes DNA from a heated spot. We quantify for the first time the thermal diffusion constant DT=0.4×108   cm2/sK for DNA, using fluorescent dyes and laser heating. For 5 kB DNA we extrapolate a 1000-fold depletion from a temperature difference of 50 K. Surprisingly, convection generated by the same heating can turn the depletion into trapping of DNA. Trapped DNA can form point geometries 20   μm in diameter with more than 1000-fold enhanced concentrations. The accumulation is driven only by temperature gradients and offers a new approach to biological microfluidics and replicating systems in prebiotic evolution.

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  • Received 2 May 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.188103

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Dieter Braun* and Albert Libchaber

  • Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021

  • *Email address: mail@dieterb.de

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Issue

Vol. 89, Iss. 18 — 28 October 2002

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