Dynamics of self-entangled DNA molecules

帕特里克·多伊尔1335938这个项目将重点研究微纳流体器件中自缠绕双链DNA的静态和动态性质。这个项目的中心目标是了解自我纠缠如何影响DNA的传输特性。单分子实验和计算机模拟都将进行。该项目的三个主要目标是：(1)开发有效地产生和表征自纠缠DNA的方法；(2)研究自纠缠DNA在平面拉伸场中的拉伸和松弛；(3)使用粗粒度模拟来研究自纠缠DNA。这项工作的应用是在新兴的单分子基因组分析和核间DNA动力学领域。智力价值：所提出的研究将导致在聚合物和DNA非平衡动力学基础研究的前沿工作。PI将利用一种新发现的新方法来创建自纠缠DNA，以用作模型聚合物系统。关于自纠缠聚合物系统的新的力学见解将被开发出来。这个项目的基本发现将导致对聚合物物理文本和期刊文章的贡献。广泛的影响：这个项目将培养本科生和研究生进入劳动力大军(学术和工业)，从事结合分子操纵和微制造的尖端工程主题。通过参与麻省理工学院获奖者和领袖计划，少数族裔学生将参与研究并指导他们攻读科学、技术、工程或数学(STEM)领域的博士学位。高中教师将通过材料科学与工程中心的RET计划参与暑期研究。在研究期内，化工流体力学专业本科生将完成一本新的教材。本科生将在法国或新加坡的暑假期间参与合作的国际研究体验。

Doyle, Patrick 1335938 This project will focus on the study of the static and dynamic properties of self-entangled double stranded DNA in micro and nanofluidic devices. The central goal of this project is to develop an understanding of how self-entanglements affect the transport properties of DNA. Both single molecule experiments and computer simulations will be performed. The three main objectives of the project are: (1) develop means to efficiently generate and characterize self-entangled DNA, (2) study the stretching and relaxation of self-entangled DNA subject to planar elongational fields, (3) use coarse-grained simulations to study self-entangled DNA. Applications of this work are in the emerging field of single-molecule genomic analysis and inter-nuclear DNA dynamics.Intellectual Merit :The research proposed will result in work at the front edge of fundamental studies of nonequilibrium dynamics of polymers and DNA. The PI will leverage a newly discovered and novel method to create self-entangled DNA to be used as the model polymer system. New mechanistic insights will be developed regarding self-entangled polymer systems. The fundamental discoveries from this project will result in contributions to polymer physics texts and journal articles.Broader Impacts :This project will train undergraduate and graduate students to enter the workforce (academic and industry) to work on cutting edge engineering topics combining molecular manipulations and microfabrication. Through the PI's involvement in the MIT Laureates and Leaders Program, minority students will be involved in research and mentored to pursue a PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields. High school teachers will be involved in summer research through the Center for Material Science and Engineering RET program. A new text for undergraduate chemical engineering fluid mechanics will be completed by the PI during the course of the research period. Undergraduates will partake in collaborative international research experiences during summers in either France or Singapore.