Trapping Single Molecules by Dielectrophoresis
Journal article, 2005

We have trapped single protein molecules of R-phycoerythrin in an aqueous solution by an alternating electric field. A radio frequency voltage is applied to sharp nanoelectrodes and hence produces a strong electric field gradient. The resulting dielectrophoretic forces attract freely diffusing protein molecules. Trapping takes place at the electrode tips. Switching off the field immediately releases the molecules. The electric field distribution is computed, and from this the dielectrophoretic response of the molecules is calculated using a standard polarization model. The resulting forces are compared to the impact of Brownian motion. Finally, we discuss the experimental observations on the basis of the model calculations.

Author

Ralph Hölzel

Nils Calander

University of Gothenburg

Zackary Chiragwandi

University of Gothenburg

Magnus Willander

University of Gothenburg

Frank F. Bier

Physical Review Letters

0031-9007 (ISSN) 1079-7114 (eISSN)

Vol. 95 128102-

Subject Categories

Physical Sciences

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.128102

More information

Created

10/10/2017