Sensing interactions between molecular entities and nanopores
AssigneeOxford Nanopore Technologies PLC
InventorsAndrew John Heron, Mark John Bruce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A biochemical sensing system senses interactions between molecular entities and nanopores using a sensor device comprising an array of sensor elements that support the nanopores. A switch arrangement selectively connects detection channels for amplifying sensed electrical signals to respective sensor elements. On the basis of an analysis of the amplified electrical signal output from the detection channels, detection of completion of interactions at sensor elements occurs. In response thereto, the switch arrangement is controlled to connect the detection channel connected to a sensor element at which completion of an interaction has been detected to a further sensor element.
Claims19
A method of sensing interactions between molecular entities and nanopores, the method comprising:
- providing a sensor device comprising an array of sensor elements arranged to support respective nanopores that are capable of an interaction with a molecular entity and including respective electrodes, each sensor element being arranged to output an electrical signal at the electrode that is dependent on the interaction of the molecular entity with the nanopore;
- providing a detection circuit comprising:
- a plurality of detection channels each capable of amplifying the electrical signal from one of the sensor elements, the number of the sensor elements in the array being greater than the number of the detection channels;
- and
- a switch arrangement capable of selectively connecting the detection channels to the respective sensor elements;
- controlling the switch arrangement to connect the detection channels to the respective sensor elements;
- and
- detecting, on the basis of an analysis of the amplified electrical signal output from the detection channels, completion of the interactions at the sensor elements, and in response thereto, controlling the switch arrangement to connect the respective detection channel that is connected to the sensor element at which completion of the interaction has been detected to a new sensor element that is not currently connected to any of the detection channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.