Separation of long DNA molecules in a microfabricated entropic trap array

Science. 2000 May 12;288(5468):1026-9. doi: 10.1126/science.288.5468.1026.

Abstract

A nanofluidic channel device, consisting of many entropic traps, was designed and fabricated for the separation of long DNA molecules. The channel comprises narrow constrictions and wider regions that cause size-dependent trapping of DNA at the onset of a constriction. This process creates electrophoretic mobility differences, thus enabling efficient separation without the use of a gel matrix or pulsed electric fields. Samples of long DNA molecules (5000 to approximately 160,000 base pairs) were efficiently separated into bands in 15-millimeter-long channels. Multiple-channel devices operating in parallel were demonstrated. The efficiency, compactness, and ease of fabrication of the device suggest the possibility of more practical integrated DNA analysis systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / instrumentation*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / isolation & purification*
  • Electricity
  • Electrophoresis*
  • Entropy
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • DNA