Biomolecule measurement system and biomolecule measurement method
AssigneeHitachi High-Technologies Corporation
InventorsRena Akahori, Itaru Yanagi, Kenichi Takeda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To introduce a biomolecule into a nanopore without the need to check the position of the nanopore in a thin film. In addition, displacement stability is ensured and stable acquisition of blocking signals is realized. An immobilization member 107 having a larger size than a thin film 113 with a nanopore 112 is used, and biomolecules are immobilized on the biomolecule immobilization member 107 at a density that allows at least one biomolecule 108 to enter an electric field region around the nanopore when the biomolecule immobilization member 107 has moved close to a nanopore device 101.
Claims16
A biomolecule measurement system comprising:
- a first liquid tank adapted to be filled with an electrolytic solution;
- a second liquid tank adapted to be filled with the electrolytic solution;
- a thin film with a nanopore being provided between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank so as to allow the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank to communicate with each other via the nanopore, the thin film having a first exposed surface with the nanopore facing the first liquid tank to be exposed to the electrolytic solution in the first liquid tank;
- a biomolecule-immobilized member disposed in the first liquid tank and having a biomolecule-immobilized region facing the first exposed surface of the thin film with the nanopore, the biomolecule-immobilized region having a surface area with a larger size than a surface area of the first exposed surface of the thin film facing the first liquid tank, the biomolecule-immobilized member being driven in a direction toward and away from the first exposed surface of the thin film;
- a first electrode provided in the first liquid tank;
- a second electrode provided in the second liquid tank;
- a stopper disposed between the biomolecule-immobilized member and the first exposed surface of the thin film to prevent contact between the biomolecule-immobilized member and the thin film, the stopper covering an unexposed surface of the thin film surrounding the first exposed surface of the thin film to provide a space between the first exposed surface of the thin film and the biomolecule-immobilized region of the biomolecule-immobilized member, the stopper having an opening to allow the first exposed surface of the thin film to be exposed to the biomolecule-immobilized region of the biomolecule-immobilized member;
- a power supply configured to apply a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode;
- and
- an ammeter to measure an ion current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode,
- wherein the ammeter is configured to acquire sequence information on a biomolecule having one end immobilized on the biomolecule-immobilized probe on the basis of an ion current that is measured when the biomolecule passes through the nanopore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.