Separation of long linear polymers in gel electrophoresis with alternating electric fields: A theoretical study using the necklace model,

G. TERRANOVA, H.O. MÁRTIN, Y C.M. ALDAO

PHYSICAL REVIEW E - STATISTICAL PHYSICS, PLASMAS, FLUIDS AND RELATED INTERDISCIPLINARY TOPICS

AIP

Año: 2012 vol. 85 p. 24518 - 24518

1063-651X

The necklace model, that mimics the reptation of a chain of N beads in a square lattice, is used to study the drift velocity of charged linear polymers in gels under an applied electric field that periodically changes its direction. The characteristics of the model allow us to determine the effects of the alternating electric field on the chains dynamics. We explain why chains of different N can be made to move in opposite directions with a non-uniform electric field with certain values of intensity and frequency. The key point is that, when alternating electric fields are applied, longer chains spend more time out of the steady-state regime than lower chains. Numerical results are obtained by means of Monte Carlo simulations and they are qualitatively in agreement with experiments of DNA migration in gel electrophoresis.