Controlled translocation of macromolecules employing a funnel nanopore structure and a gel

摘要

A system of controlled translocation of macromolecules by gel electrophoresis employs a funnel nanopore structure. A graphene portion is attached to a porous material layer including funnel-shaped pores such that the graphene portion blocks the side of the porous material layer having openings for smaller pores. A pair of electrical contacts is formed on the graphene portion. A dielectric material layer may be deposited to hold the graphene portion in place. A nanoscale hole is formed through the dielectric material layer and the graphene portion to provide a smallest opening in a funnel nanopore structure. The funnel nanopore structure is placed within a capsule configured for gel electrophoresis. A linear chain of molecules can pass through a funnel-shaped pore and the nanoscale hole during the gel electrophoresis. A graphene nanopore detector allows measurement of blockage current for sufficient resolution of base pairs in DNA's.

主权项

1. A gel electrophoresis apparatus comprising:
an enclosure divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by a divider plate, said divider plate comprising:
a porous material layer comprising funnel-shaped pores between a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein each of said funnel-shaped pores has a smaller opening at said first side surface than an opening at said second side surface and wherein each funnel-shaped pore has at least one tapered portion in which a cross sectional area decreases with distance from a geometrical center of each funnel-shaped pore, anda graphene portion directly contacting said first side surface, wherein a nanoscale hole extends through said graphene portion and is in direct communication with said smaller opening of one of said funnel-shaped pores; a first electrode located in said first chamber; a second electrode located in said second chamber; and a circuitry configured to provide a voltage across said first electrode and said second electrode.