METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE SEQUENCE OF POLYNUCLEOTIDES

摘要

Methods for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide are described. The method utilizes a novel apparatus which comprises a substrate (11) in which pathways (12) are used to align nucleic acid molecules. Linearly oriented nucleic acids are scanned by scanning tunneling microscopy, and the presence of base specific labels determined. The information is compiled for different labels, and the data sets combined to provide the full nucleotide sequence.