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Related Experiment Videos

Anomalous dynamics of forced translocation.

Yacov Kantor1, Mehran Kardar

  • 1School for Physics and Astronomy, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. kantor@post.tau.ac.il

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|March 5, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Polymer translocation through membranes is not always diffusive. Equilibrium assumptions break down for long polymers, revealing anomalous subdiffusive dynamics and longer translocation times than predicted, especially when pulled by the end.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Polymer Physics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Polymer translocation through nanopores is crucial for biological processes and nanotechnology.
  • Previous models often assume equilibrium dynamics, predicting diffusive behavior and specific scaling laws for translocation time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the validity of equilibrium assumptions in polymer translocation through a membrane hole.
  • To determine the translocation dynamics and time scaling for long polymers under different force application methods.
  • To provide accurate lower bounds for translocation times and compare them with simulation results.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of polymer dynamics near a membrane pore.
  • Derivation of lower bounds for translocation time based on unimpeded polymer motion.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Numerical simulations of self-avoiding polymer translocation (unforced and forced).

    • Main Results:

    • Equilibrium assumptions break down for long polymers, leading to anomalous subdiffusive translocation dynamics.
    • Lower bounds for translocation time exceed equilibrium predictions.
    • Forced translocation time depends significantly on the force application method, with end-pulling being slower than chemical potential difference.
    • Simulations confirm subdiffusive scaling and match theoretical bounds, despite finite size effects.

    Conclusions:

    • Polymer translocation dynamics are often anomalous and deviate from simple diffusive models.
    • Accurate modeling requires considering non-equilibrium effects and the specific method of force application.
    • The study provides a more realistic framework for understanding and predicting polymer translocation times.