Control single dsDNA molecule stretching and transportation by using virtual nanopore trapper

Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate the adoption of both electrophoresis (EP) and dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces inside a nanoconfinement region to stretch single dsDNA molecule and control the moving speed. By adjusting DEP field inside the nanopore, the opening of the virtual nanopore can be manipulated to drag or trap dsDNA molecule in the virtual nanochannel region. EP force was applied to stretch the dsDNA across the virtual nanopore. The transportation speed of dsDNA molecules can be controlled in a range from 0.615 to 2.285 μm/s, slow enough for DNA sequencing. This virtual nanopore can be used as an electro-tweezers within micro/nano fluidic systems. © 2011 IEEE.