Microscale Diffusiophoresis of Proteins

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04029
• Publication Date: 2022-10-28T18:41:12Z
• Authors: Quentin A. E. Peter; Raphaël P. B. Jac...; Therese W. Herling; Pavan Kumar Challa; Tadas Kartanas; Tuomas P. J. Knowles
• Keywords: Microscale chemistry

Living systems are characterized by their spatially highly inhomogeneous nature which is susceptible to modify fundamentally the behavior of biomolecular species, including proteins that underpin biological functionality in cells. Spatial gradients chemical potential known lead strong transport effects for colloidal particles, but effect on molecular scale species such as has remained largely unexplored. Here, we improve existing diffusiophoresis microfluidic technique measure protein real space. The measurement made possible two ameliorations. First, a label-free microscope used suppress label interference. Second, improvements numerical methods developed meet particular challenges posed small molecules. We demonstrate individual can undergo diffusiophoretic motion salt manner sufficient overcome diffusion and leads dramatic changes spatial organization cell. Moreover, this phenomenon be control devices. These results open up path towards physical understanding role living macromolecules highlight novel routes sorting applications device.