Cooperative translocation dynamics of biopolymer chains through nanopores in a membrane: Slow dynamics limit

The cooperative translocation dynamics of two complementary single-stranded DNA chains through two nanopores located in a membrane is investigated theoretically. The translocation process is considered to be quasi-equilibrium, and then under the limit of slow dynamics the average translocation times are numerically presented under different conditions. It is shown that the effects of the chemical potential gradient, the recombination energy and the distance between the two nanopores on the cooperative translocation are significant. The present model predicts that the cooperative translocation of such two chains can shorten the translocation time, reduce the backward motion and thus improve the translocation efficiency.