OLIGONUCLEOTIDE-FUNCTIONALIZED NANOTUBE MEMBRANES

摘要

A system and method for selective oligonucleotide transport. The system includes a device for selectively transporting a biological species. The system and method involve the use of DNA-functionalized nanotube membranes. The membranes incorporate a transporter molecule that is complementary to the target oligonucleotide molecule that is to be transported. As a result, the membranes used in the present invention are much more effective at transporting the target oligonucleotide molecule along a membrane than systems not using the transporter molecule The transporter molecule may be a hairpin DNA molecule or a linear DNA molecule. The transporter molecule may include a substituent for bonding to the nanotube membrane and may be a perfect compliment to the target oligonucleotide or may include one or more base mismatches to the target oligonucleotide molecule.