29/11/2018

Translocation of a globular polymer through a hairy pore

Title: Translocation of a globular polymer through a hairy pore
Authors:

Mair A, Tung C, Cacciuto A, Coluzza I.

Journal: Journal of Molecular Liquids 2018, 265, 603-610

We present numerical simulations of a globular polymer translocating through a cylindrical pore internally coated with a polymer brush. We first characterize the statistical properties of the brush under flow and show how, at high grafting densities, the monomer profile of the brush is unaffected by the presence of the fluid flow. We then exploit the fluid flow to force a globular polymer through it and study how it deforms as a result of the interaction with the brush. Finally, we discuss how such a setup could be used as a protein purification device.