Separation of DNA in Microfluidic Systems

Abstract

It is possible to fabricate fluidic systems with dimensions comparable to the size of DNA molecules. By controlling the time and spatial dependence of electric fields one can drive, sort and separate molecules by a variety of physical mechanisms. We have created nanoconstrictions in fluidic channels that act as entropic barriers to DNA motion. We have used the size dependence of these entropic effects to separate DNA. In this paper we describe the design and fabrication two such types of devices and their performance.