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.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 13762-13765 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 24 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 23 1999 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General
Keywords
- Brownian motion
- DNA fractionation
- Microfabricated array