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Exponential DNA Replication by Laminar Convection

Dieter Braun, Noel L. Goddard, and Albert Libchaber
Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 158103 – Published 9 October 2003
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Abstract

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.

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  • Received 6 January 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.158103

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Dieter Braun*, Noel L. Goddard, and Albert Libchaber

  • Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA

  • *Email addresses: mail@dieterb.de, braund@rockefeller.edu

See Also

DNA Running Hot and Cold

Kim Krieger
Phys. Rev. Focus 12, 13 (2003)

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Issue

Vol. 91, Iss. 15 — 10 October 2003

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