Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Translocation of a flexible polymer through a cone-shaped channel is studied, theoretically and using computer simulations. Our simulations show that the shape of the channel causes the polymer translocation to be a driven process. The effective driving force of entropic origin acting on the polymer is calculated as a function of the length and the apex-angle of the channel, theoretically. It is found that the translocation time is a non-monotonic function of the apex-angle of the channel. By increasing the apex-angle from zero, the translocation time shows a minimum and then a maximum. Also, it is found that regardless of the value of the apex-angle, the translocation time is a uniformly decreasing function of the channel length. The results of the theory and the simulation are in good qualitative agreement.
Source: The Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI: 10.1063/1.4818419
Authors: Narges Nikoofard, Hamidreza Khalilian, Hossein Fazli
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2017137199