Microflow system and transportation of DNA molecule by dielectrophoretic force utilizing the conformational transition in the higher order structure of DNA molecule

In this paper, we propose a new methodology on noncontact transportation of DNA molecules by dielectrophoretic force together with the Micro DNA Flow System. We utilize the conformational transition in the higher order structure of DNA for transportation. We designed a simple micro electrode-flow system. Experimental demonstration of DNA transportation in the globule state using dielectrophoretic force and direct observation of the DNA molecule in a non-uniform electric field were carried out with fluorescence microscopy. We discuss the experimental result on the motion of the DNA molecule. We show that transportation of DNA with the state of compacted globule is profitable in the future practical application for the separation of giant DNAs such as human gene. In future we consider the possibility of the Micro DNA Flow System as one of the biomanipulation and automation systems for DNA sequencing