APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING CHARACTERISTICS OF TARGET MOLECULES

摘要

Disclosed herein are an apparatus (20) and a method for evaluating one or more characteristics of target molecules. The apparatus comprises means (22) for receiving a biochip comprising a substrate (16) to which charged probe molecules (10) are attached. The probe molecules have a marker (12) for allowing to generate signals indicative of the distance of a portion of the probe molecule (10) from the substrate (16). The apparatus comprises means (34, 38 - 44) for detecting the signal and means (28, 29) for generating an external electric field to which the probe molecules (10) are exposed. A control means controls the electric field generating means (28) to (A) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule (10) to approach said substrate (16) and (B) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule (10) to move away from said substrate (16). The signal detecting means (34, 38 - 44) records the signal as a function of time during step (A) and/or step (B). Steps (A) and (B) are repeated for a predetermined number of times and the recorded signals are combined such as to generate an averaged time-resolved signal indicative of the process of said part of the probe molecule (10) approaching the substrate (16) and/or moving away from the substrate (16).