Dielectrophoretic Response of DNA Shows Different Conduction Mechanisms for Poly(dG)-Poly(dC) and Poly(dA)-Poly(dT) in Solution

Although the subject of some scrutiny over the years, the mechanism of conduction in DNA has not yet been resolved, with competing theories suggesting either electronic and ionic conduction mechanisms. In this paper we use dielectrophoresis to determine the electrical properties of poly(dG)-poly(dC) (GC) and poly(dA)-poly(dT) (AT) DNA in solution. The molecules show different conduction mechanisms; GC DNA exhibits conduction primarily through the molecule, whereas in AT DNA conduction through the counterion cloud surrounding the molecule in solution is more significant.