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DNA Transport through Polycarbonate Membranes

The goal of this project is to monitor the transport of single stranded (ss) DNA molecules through nanopore membranes. We are interested in determining how size and charge of the ssDNA molecule and pore diameter of the membrane affect rate and selectivity of DNA transport through such nanoporous membranes. These studies are relevant to efforts on going in our laboratories at developing electrochemical DNA sequencing devices and sensors. We are using commercially-available nanoporous track-etched polycarbonate membrane filters for these studies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to determine the pore diameter and more interestingly the pore shape of the membrane. We will show that pores in these membranes are, in fact, not cylindrical but rather cigar-shaped. The ssDNA molecules are driven electrophoretically and by diffusion through the nanopore membranes. Fluxes and diffusion coefficients have been determined and tabulated. To our knowledge these are the first fundamental investigations of DNA transport in such nanopore membranes

DNA transport; Polycarbonate Membranes; SEM; TEM

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