Introduction

Nucleic acids pass through membranes in several biological processes, e.g.

• DNA uptake into the cell nucleus
• Viral/phage RNA infection (animation)

Artificial Translocation through Nanopores (rapid sequencing of DNA?)

J.J. Kasianowicz, E. Brandin, D. Branton, and D.W. Deamer, PNAS 93, 13770 (1996)

A. Meller, L. Nivon, D. Branton, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3435 (2001)

From Amit Meller's web-pages-

The translocation of the DNA molecules can be stalled by switching off the electrical field during their passage.

The unbiased dynamics of the molecules can then be followed.

From the Harvard Nanopore group (Branton):  (nanopore in a solid membrane)

Modeling DNA/pore interactions:

• Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group at UIUC (Klaus Schulten) 
• Kolomeisky group at Rice
•    ...

Next Outline Introduction Brownian translocation Anomalous dynamics Forced translocation Asymmetry Sub-diffusive distributions