Identifier

etd-10122015-124021

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Nanofludic devices provide a great platform for single molecular analysis. The unique phenomena in nanoscale gained such interest in investigating the single molecular behavior in nanochannels. Sizes less than 200 nm in one or two-dimensional structures have lead to fascinating observations not accessible in microscale. When a single molecule translocates through a nanotube it interacts with channel walls by adsorption/ desorption, van der Waals interactions and hydrophilic interactions providing a mechanism for separation without any extra additives. Moreover, double layer thickness governed by the background electrolyte plays a vital role. We report single molecular electrophoresis phenomena in nanochannels and nanoslits based on experiment and simulation studies. This will provide the guidance for sequencing DNA by clipped single monomer nucleotides based on their unique time-of-flight (ToF) signatures when electrokinetically driven through a nanotube. The nanofluidic devices were fabricated in thermoplastic devices using mixed micro-scale and nanoscale methodologies. We also report a novel bonding methodology at low temperature using thermoplastic devices with high glass transition substrate sealed to a low glass transition cover plate. This approach prevents distorted nanochannels specially when fabricating nanochannels less than 50 nm to facilitate DNA stretching studies. Genomic mapping of single molecules has gained attention significantly during the last decade. Genomic mapping of DNA molecules facilitated region-specific drug development. We study the development of a nanofluidic-based sensor to monitor chemotherapy responses in cancer patients by stretching their genomic DNA in nanochannels and identifying the specific damage sites.

Date

2015

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Soper, Steven Allan

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3405

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