Electrophoresis of DNA and other polyelectrolytes: Physical mechanisms

摘要: and sequencing is likely to play an increasing role in diagnosis. This article reviews, from the point of view a physicist, mechanisms responsible for electrophoretic separation polyelectrolytes. mainly performed gels, wide variety migration can come into play, depending on polyelectrolyte’s architecture, electric fields applied, properties gel. After brief review thermodynamic electrohydrodynamic principles relating polyelectrolyte solutions, author treats phenomenology electrophoresis describes conceptual theoretical tools field. The reptation mechanisms, by which large flexible polyelectrolytes thread their way through pores gel matrix, prominent role. Biased reptation, extension this model electrophoresis, provides very intuitive framework within numerous physical ideas be introduced discussed. It has been most popular theory domain, it remains inspiring concept current development. There have also important advances experimental techniques such as single-molecule viodeomicroscopy development nongel media mechanisms. These, turn, form basis fast-developing innovative technologies like capillary microchips, molecular ratchets.