Characterization of individual polymer molecules based on monomer-interface interactions

摘要

The invention relates to a method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid by providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; inducing passage of the target polynucleic acid through the channel, whereby the target polynucleic acid undergoes base pair separation (melts) prior to its passage; and making one or more measurements over time as the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a monomer-dependent characteristic of the target polynucleic acid.

主权项

1. A method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid comprising:
a) providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage through the channel of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid; b) providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface; c) applying a voltage across the channel to drive the target polynucleic acid to the channel so that a single strand of the target polynucleic acid enters the channel and to hold the target polynucleic acid adjacent to the channel for a time sufficient for the hybridized target polynucleic acid to undergo strand separation at the surface, wherein the single strand of the target polynucleic acid passes through the channel; and d) making one or more measurements over time as the single strand of the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a polymer-dependent property of the target polynucleic acid.