DNA Characterization in a NanoChannel

Microfluidics and nanofluidics based technologies manipulate small (10–9 to 10–18 liters) amounts of fluids, in channels with dimensions at the micro- and nano-scale.  We will study the fundamental understanding of DNA behavior in nano fabricated glass channels containing a micro/nano interface.  We will stain DNA fragments ranging from 20-100 base pairs with fluorescent dye and manipulate them on a chip with applies electric fields.  The distribution of fluorescent DNA between the micro and nanochannel will be recorded using a microscope and a camera.  These results will provide key data for a fundamental understanding of DNA behavior at the nano-scale, which is vital for future biotechnologies.  Separation of DNA has numerous applications, including sequencing of genomes for biological functions, biometric fingerprinting, forensics, and identification of pathogens and genetic diseases.