Devices and methods for target molecule characterization

摘要

The present invention provides a device having at least one constriction that is sized to permit translocation of only a single copy of the molecule. The device has a pair of spaced apart sensing electrodes that border the constriction, which may be a nanopore. The first electrode is connected to a first affinity element and the second electrode is connected to a second affinity element. The first and second affinity elements are configured to temporarily form hydrogen bonds with first and second portions of the target molecule as the latter passes through the constriction.

主权项

1. A molecular recognition device configured to identify at least one portion of a target molecule, the device comprising:
a partition having a first side, a second side, and a thickness therebetween; at least one constriction having a first end open to the first side and a second end open to the second side, wherein:
the at least one constriction includes a diameter, an interior wall, a perimeter, and a length corresponding to at least the thickness, andthe diameter is configured to pass therethrough target molecules from the first side to the second side, a single target molecule at a time; a single pair of first and second sensing electrodes arranged within the constriction between the first side and the second side of the partition, wherein
the first electrode encircling the perimeter of the interior wall and arranged at a first position along the length of the constriction,the second electrode encircling the perimeter of the interior wall and arranged at a second position along the length of the constriction spaced away from the first position establishing a gap therebetween of between 0.5 and 10 nm, andthe partition material in the gap comprises an insulating material; a first affinity element connected to the first electrode; and a second affinity element connected to the second electrode; wherein the device is configured such that:
at least a portion of each target molecule translocating through the constriction forms one or more temporary non-covalent bonds with each of the first affinity element and the second affinity element upon passing adjacent the gap thereby establishing a temporary electrical circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode,the circuit is configured to produce an observable current during the temporary binding, the current having one or more associated characteristics, andthe one or more characteristics of the current correspond to a signature of at least a portion of the target molecule for comparison against known signature currents for different target molecules or different portions of target molecules so as to identify at least the portion of each translocated target molecule.