Deoxyribonucleic acid concentration using acoustic radiation force

A deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration method using acoustic radiation force is proposed. Ethanol was added to an aqueous DNA sample in order to initiate clustering of the DNA molecules of 2686 bps. The change in the distribution of the DNA clusters induced by a standing wave ultrasound irradiation was observed with an optical microscope. The observable DNA clusters gathered on the pressure node in the ultrasonic standing wave field and formed larger clusters that did not break apart after the irradiation was stopped. Without ultrasound irradiation, no significant change in the cluster distribution was observed. This method may have a potential use for concentrating and collecting biomaterials such as nucleic acids and proteins.