Brownian Dynamics studies of a “Tug-of-War” of a DNA translocating through a two-nanopore system

Two nanopore devices show potential for improved translocation control and error reduction through correlation of independent current channels accessed at each pore. We report Brownian dynamics (BD) simulation results for a dsDNA threading through a two-nanopore system using a coarse-grained model for the dsDNA and pore. Specifically, we study “tug-of-war” states, where the DNA is simultaneously present in both pores and the pores exert opposing electrophoretic forces. We extract the life-time of the tug-of-war as a function of biasing conditions, chain stiffness and inter-pore separation and investigate the correlation and cross-correlation functions of the chain translocation velocity through the pores. Our studies are expected to extend the single-pore translocation problem to dual nanopore pore systems and aide in the design of two-pore devices.