What is the main aim or goal of your project?:
Understanding generic physical features of the polymer/pore system--mainly the energy barrier associated with the translocation process.
Why is the project important?:
The process of polymer movement in nanopores is common in biological systems. Proteins and genetic material enter and exit cells through pores in the cell membrane. Furthermore, proposed applications in biotechnology, like DNA sequencing, use nanopore translocation.
What drew you to the project?:
I started this study last summer and continued it as part of my honours project. This summer I wanted to continue my work and try to enhance the model.
What is the most significant thing about your project?:
There have been many theoretical and experimental studies on polymer translocation through nanopores. We used a computer simulation program to study the free energy barrier and its dependence on system parameters such as polymer length and and nanopore length and radius. Ultimately, insights gained in the project will help us better understand nanopore translocation and, as part of the bigger body of work, help guide the development of proposed technologies.
What is the most fun thing you've done this summer so far?:
I have presented my findings at the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) Congress. This was a fantastic opportunity to meet other physicists, learn about some of the physics research in Canada, and exchange ideas with them. I have also added new features to my computer program that makes the model more representative of actual polymer/nanopore systems. My early results from the modified program have some interesting trends, and I am starting to analyze these new findings.
