Electrically Tunable Quenching of DNA Fluctuations in Biased Solid-State Nanopores.

ABSTRACT: Nanopores offer sensors for a broad range of nanoscale materials, in particular ones of biological origin such as single- and double-stranded DNA or DNA-protein complexes. In order to increase single-molecule sensitivity, it is desirable to control biomolecule motion inside nanopores. In the present study, we investigate how in the case of a double-stranded DNA the single-molecule sensitivity can be improved through bias voltages. For this purpose we carry out molecular dynamics simulations of the DNA inside nanopores in an electrically biased metallic membrane. Stabilization of DNA, namely, a reduction in thermal fluctuations, is observed under positive bias voltages, while negative voltages bring about only negligible stabilization. For positive biases the stabilization arises from elect

SUBMITTER: Qiu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4918906 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature