The degradation of T7 DNA in converging flow

The flow-induced degradation of T7 DNA (Molecular Size = 40 Kbp) was studied in a flow device that generates converging flow rather than simple shear flow. We discovered that the sizes of the degradation products were very broadly distributed, covering the range from 10 Kbp to 36 Kbp. An explanation for the broadness of the distribution is given based on a computer simulation of the experiment. The significance of converging flow to the routine handling of large DNA is emphasized.