Enhanced DNA separation rates in nano-platinum doped agarose

In this work, nanoparticle-doped matrices for DNA separation at low voltages are described. High conductivity agarose gels doped with platinum nano-particles have been synthesized and characterized by TEM, EDS and SEM. This new doping technique for agarose gels enhances the dielectric constant of the gels by up to 1.5 folds as compared to undoped gel, decreases the resistance (from 97 ohms to about 60 ohms) and increases DNA mobility by 1.5 times (from 6.6 × 10^-5 cm²/V·sec to 9.3 × 10^-5 cm²/V ·sec) at lower operating electric fields (8 V/cm). We believe that the faster movement of DNA arises from an increased dielectric constant and a reduced resistance of the doped material resulting in increased ionic mobility. Using image analysis tools, we have also observed that there is no band broadening effects in the platinum doped gel sample, which indicate no appreciable temperature rise due to incorporation of platinum nanoparticles in agarose gel.