DNA and RNA sequencing by nanoscale reading through programmable electrophoresis and nanoelectrode-gated tunneling and dielectric detection

A nanoscale nucleic acid sequence detection apparatus comprising:

• a) a hydrophobic and nonconductive substrate serving as a sample plate;
• b) a cathode macroelectrode located on one surface of said substrate;
• c) an anode macroelectrode located on said surface of said substrate such that the spacing between said cathode macroelectrode and said anode macroelectrode is greater than the length of one nucleic acid molecule, the spacing between said cathode macroelectrode and said anode macroelectrode defining a nucleic acid loading and delivery path;
• d) a first nanoelectrode located on said surface of said substrate;
• e) a second nanoelectrode located on said surface of said substrate such that the gap between said first nanoelectrode and said second nanoelectrode crosses the nucleic acid loading and delivery path, the gap between said first nanoelectrode and said second nanoelectrode defining a nanometer-size nucleic acid detection gate on said hydrophobic and nonconductive substrate;
• f) a hydrophilic sample loading and delivery area on said hydrophobic and nonconductive substrate, said hydrophilic area extending along said nucleic acid loading and delivery path from said cathode macroelectrode to said anode macroelectrode, said hydrophilic sample loading and delivery area constructed so as to taper gradually less from said cathode macroelectrode to said nucleic acid detection gate;
• g) a molecular transport liquid located on said hydrophilic sample loading and delivery area, said molecular transport liquid preferentially tending to form a funnel-like liquid delivery path on said hydrophilic sample loading and delivery area;
• h) an injection device capable of introducing a sample nucleic acid molecule into said molecular transport liquid;
• i) a nucleic acid nucleotide base detection means located at said nucleic acid detection gate;
• j) a first programmable pulse generator connected to said cathode macroelectrode and to said anode macroelectrode, said first programmable pulse generator capable of controllably moving a nucleic acid molecule contained in said liquid along the nucleic acid loading and delivery path between said cathode macroelectrode and said anode macroelectrode by means of a programmable electrophoresis electric field;
• k) two parallel spaced-apart electrically conductive plates, said electrically conductive plates arranged such that said sample plate is located between said electrically conductive plates;
• and
• l) a second programmable pulse generator connected to said electrically conductive plates, said second programmable pulse generator capable of applying a holding electric field across said electrically conductive plates in order to orient the nucleic acid molecule contained in said liquid with respect to said sample plate and said electrically conductive plates.