Capture of rod-like molecules by a nanopore: Defining an "orientational capture radius"
Both the translational diffusion coefficient D and the electrophoretic mobility μ of a short rod-like molecule (such as dsDNA) that is being pulled toward a nanopore by an electric field should depend on its orientation. Since a charged rod-like molecule tends to orient in the presence of an inhomog...
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Published in | The Journal of chemical physics Vol. 152; no. 14; p. 144902 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
14.04.2020
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Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | Both the translational diffusion coefficient D and the electrophoretic mobility μ of a short rod-like molecule (such as dsDNA) that is being pulled toward a nanopore by an electric field should depend on its orientation. Since a charged rod-like molecule tends to orient in the presence of an inhomogeneous electric field, D and μ will change as the molecule approaches the nanopore, and this will impact the capture process. We present a simplified study of this problem using theoretical arguments and Langevin dynamics simulations. In particular, we introduce a new orientational capture radius, which we compare to the capture radius for the equivalent point-like particle, and we discuss the different physical regimes of orientation during capture and the impact of initial orientations on the capture time. |
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ISSN: | 1089-7690 |
DOI: | 10.1063/5.0002044 |