Evolution of DNA compaction in microchannels

Combining microfluidics with x-ray microdiffraction and Raman microscopy, the dynamic behaviour of soft matter, with specific consideration of the molecular structure, can be investigated. Microfluidic systems enable a reduction of sample volume and shorter reaction times. By performing experiments under continuous microflow, material damage is avoided and the influence of external stress on biomacromolecules can be analysed. The generated elongated flow induces alignment of the investigated materials, allowing for an improved structural characterization. Here, the dynamics of the compaction of DNA by polypropyleneimine dotriacontaamine dendrimers, generation 4 is studied. As a consequence of the laminar flow inside the microchannels, highly defined, diffusion-controlled compaction of the DNA occurs enabling the study of different states of the reaction during one measurement by varying the observation position in the channels. The evolution of a columnar mesophase with an in-plane square symmetry is monitored by x-ray microdiffraction and the molecular interaction between the two reactants is traced using Raman microscopy, leading to a more profound comprehension of the condensation reaction. The experimental results are in accordance with finite element method simulations of the flow and diffusion profiles in the elongated flow device.