DNA electrophoresis simulation

Abstract

The simulation of the main molecular operations used in DNA Computing can lead the researchers to develop complex algorithms and methods without the need of working with real DNA strands in-vitro. The purpose of this paper is to present a computer program which simulates an electrophoresis process over DNA molecules which is an essential operation for the identification of DNA strands. This simulation represents a useful tool for a virtual laboratory which is oriented to DNA computations. A wide variety of variables are taking into account like voltage, friction, temperature and viscosity of the gel used. The results given by the software can show the behavior of a DNA electrophoresis under certain physical conditions which allow us to obtain the relative size of the molecules involved and the best parameters to carry out the operation in-vitro efficiently. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.