DIGITAL PROTEIN SENSING CHIP AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF MOLECULES

摘要

A sensing device is provided that includes a tunnel junction created by forming a hole in a layered tunnel junction (for example). A chemically, well-defined surface may be formed by coupling affinity reagents to the electrodes, which, by these means, the surface may be configured to be selective for a particular analyte.

主权项

1. A device for detecting the binding of a molecule to a cognate ligand, comprising:
a first planar electrode having a length, a width and a thickness; an insulating layer having a length, a width and a thickness, the insulating layer covering a substantial portion of the first electrode; a second planar electrode having a length, a width and a thickness, and arranged adjacent the insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer is sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, the second electrode configured with a width that is less than the width of the first electrode; an opening through the electrodes configured to expose the gap between them and establishing an electrodes-insulating layer junction, wherein the opening is spaced away from the perimeter of each electrode; one or more recognition molecules comprising a cognate ligand; a chemical group configured to couple the cognate ligand to at least one of the electrodes; and a reference electrode in communication with at least one of the electrodes.