Theoretical study of three problems related to the electrophoresis of polyelectrolytes.

Abstract

Although mapping of human genes began early in the 20th century, about 99% of the genome is still unknown. Therefore, the development of new separation processes as well as a better understanding of the old separation techniques are needed to achieve the goals of this project. In 1994, P. Mayer, G. W. Slater and G. Drouin studied mathematically a new approach for the separation of DNA in free solutions where one attaches a neutral globular object at the end of the DNA molecule. This object would increase the friction and slow down the smaller DNA molecules more than the larger ones. In Chapter 2, we propose to attach a neutral flexible polymer instead. We demonstrate that this has the advantage of being more efficient as a friction generator. In 1994, A. E. Barron, H. W. Blanch and D. S. Soane obtained good DNA separations in ultra-dilute polymeric solutions. In Chapter 3, we develop the first theoretical model of this promising technology. This model is based on polymer hydrodynamics, molecular collisions and drag forces. In 1993, Zimm and Lumpkin proposed a new reptation model to explain gel electrophoresis of polyelectrolytes in irregular matrices. Following this work, we propose in Chapter 4 a more detailed model of this problem where the well-known memory effects of the standard reptation theory are taken into account. Our results are in qualitative agreement with available experimental results. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)