Sorting by diffusion: an asymmetric obstacle course for continuous molecular separation.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 10570146.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 24138.
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Abstract
A separation technique employing a microfabricated sieve has been demonstrated by observing the motion of DNA molecules of different size. The sieve consists of a two-dimensional lattice of obstacles whose asymmetric disposition rectifies the Brownian motion of molecules driven through the device, causing them to follow paths that depend on their diffusion coefficient. A nominal 6% resolution by length of DNA molecules in the size range 15-30 kbp may be achieved in a 4-inch (10-cm) silicon wafer. The advantage of this method is that samples can be loaded and sorted continuously, in contrast to the batch mode commonly used in gel electrophoresis.
Medical subject headings
- DNA