Field Effect Regulation of DNA Trans location through a Nanopore

Field effect regulation of DNA nanoparticle translocation through a nanopore using a gate electrode is investigated using a continuum model, composed of the coupled Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations for the ionic mass transport and the Navier-Stokes equations for the hydrodynamic field. The field effect regulation of the DNA translocation relies on the induced electroosmotic flow (EOF) and the particle-nanopore electrostatic interaction. When the electrical double layers (EDLs) formed adjacent to the DNA nanoparticle and the nanopore wall are overlapped, the particle-nanopore electrostatic interaction could dominate over the EOF effect, which enables the DNA trapping inside the nanopore when the applied electric field is relatively low. However, the particle nanopore electrostatic interaction becomes negligible if the EDLs are not overlapped. When the applied electric field is relatively high, a negative gate potential can slow down the DNA translocation by an order of magnitude, compared to a floating gate electrode. The field effect control offers a more flexible and electrically compatible approach to regulate the DNA translocation through a nanopore for DNA sequencing.