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Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores
Published on: October 31, 2013
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Temperature dependence of DNA translocations through solid-state nanopores
Daniel V Verschueren1, Magnus P Jonsson, Cees Dekker
1Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
Nanotechnology
|May 22, 2015
Summary
Temperature significantly impacts DNA translocation through nanopores. Increased temperature speeds up DNA movement and event frequency while enhancing ionic conductance, as confirmed by experimental and theoretical models.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Solid-state nanopores offer a platform for studying DNA translocation.
- Understanding the physical mechanisms governing DNA movement through nanopores is crucial for applications in genomics and diagnostics.
- Temperature is a key parameter influencing molecular dynamics and transport phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temperature dependence of lambda-DNA (λ-DNA) translocations through silicon nitride nanopores.
- To develop and validate a theoretical model that accurately describes the observed temperature-dependent translocation dynamics.
- To elucidate the dominant physical factors governing DNA translocation at varying temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurements of ionic conductance, conductance blockades, and translocation event frequency for λ-DNA translocating through 10 nm nanopores at different temperatures.
- Theoretical modeling incorporating bulk and surface conductances, access resistance, and viscous drag.
- Analysis of translocation times and event rates using a diffusion-electrophoresis balance model.
Main Results:
- Ionic conductance (G), DNA-induced conductance blockades ([Formula: see text]), and event frequency (Γ) increase with temperature.
- DNA translocation time (τ) decreases as temperature increases.
- The model accurately predicts G and [Formula: see text] by accounting for nanopore conductances and access resistance.
- Viscous drag on the DNA coil significantly influences translocation time, and event rates are explained by diffusion and electrophoretic motion.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive understanding of temperature effects on DNA translocation through solid-state nanopores.
- The developed model successfully captures the essential physics governing the process, validated by experimental data.
- This work contributes to the fundamental understanding of nanoscale transport phenomena relevant to DNA analysis technologies.

