On the limits of near-equilibrium DNA gel electrophoretic sequencing

High field intensities deeply affect the migration mechanisms of DNA in gels. The corresponding large electric forces lead to far-from-equilibrium transport properties such as the limiting mobility, increased diffusion and strong pulsed field responses. We present a theoretical study of the conditions required to retain a near-equilibrium reptation transport behaviour. We then examine the possibility of increasing both the field intensity and the gel concentration to sequence large single-stranded DNA molecules rapidly and efficiently. Finally, we discuss possible experimental approaches based on our theoretical predictions.