DFG Priority Program SPP 1164
Nano- & Microfluidics:
Bridging the Gap between
Molecular Motion and Continuum Flow
Joint numerical-experimental investigation of the micromechanical behaviour of DNA immersed in a hydrodynamic flow
| Project Leader: | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Nikolaus Andreas Adams Technische Universität München Fakultät Maschinenwesen Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrt Lehrstuhl für Aerodynamik Garching |
| together with: | Dr.-Ing. Xiangyu Hu Technische Universität München Fakultät Maschinenwesen Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrt Lehrstuhl für Aerodynamik Garching |
| and: | Dr. Michael Mertig Technische Universität Dresden Max Bergmann Zentrum für Biomaterialien Dresden |
Summary
The main objective of the project is to investigate the micromechanical
behaviour of DNA immersed in a hydrodynamic flow by joint numerical and
experimental investigations. This topic is highly relevant for the
development of novel single-molecule manipulation techniques in
biophysics and bionanotechnology where complex DNA-liquid interactions
occur.
The current project focuses on the following tasks. (i) Based on our previous work, we will develop a validated numerical simulation tool which is able to predict the behaviour of tethered DNA molecules immersed in a liquid flow and is suitable for efficient three-dimensional computations of DNA stretching. (ii) We will investigate the micromechanical behaviour of individual DNA molecules, tethered at both ends, exposed to a shear flow. The mechanical interaction between DNA and flow along with the corresponding DNA morphology will be predicted quantitatively. (iii) Finally, a more complex system will be considered by introducing DNA-protein interaction.
We will investigate if the mechanical response of DNA to hydrodynamic flow can be used for local sensing, leading to the concept of using an immobilized DNA molecule as a mechano-fluidic sensor for single association events. The development of single-molecule concepts is of large importance for future applications in proteomics, genomics and biomedical diagnostics.
The current project focuses on the following tasks. (i) Based on our previous work, we will develop a validated numerical simulation tool which is able to predict the behaviour of tethered DNA molecules immersed in a liquid flow and is suitable for efficient three-dimensional computations of DNA stretching. (ii) We will investigate the micromechanical behaviour of individual DNA molecules, tethered at both ends, exposed to a shear flow. The mechanical interaction between DNA and flow along with the corresponding DNA morphology will be predicted quantitatively. (iii) Finally, a more complex system will be considered by introducing DNA-protein interaction.
We will investigate if the mechanical response of DNA to hydrodynamic flow can be used for local sensing, leading to the concept of using an immobilized DNA molecule as a mechano-fluidic sensor for single association events. The development of single-molecule concepts is of large importance for future applications in proteomics, genomics and biomedical diagnostics.