Nanopores in zero mode waveguides
AssigneePacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
InventorsMeni Wanunu, Jonas Korlach, Mathieu Foquet, Stephen Turner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, devices, substrates, and systems are disclosed involving arrays of zero-mode waveguides having nanopores extending through the bases that form the bottoms of the zero-mode-waveguides. Electric fields across the nanopores are used to attach single biomolecules such as polymerase enzymes within each zero-mode-waveguide. Electric fields across the nanopores can also be used for the active loading of nucleic acid templates into enzymes attached within the zero mode waveguides.
Claims20
An array of zero mode waveguides, each zero mode waveguide comprising an aperture having walls and a base, and each zero mode waveguide having a nanopore extending through its base.
-10. (canceled)
A method for isolating a single biomolecule within a zero mode waveguide comprising:
- providing an array of zero mode waveguides on a substrate, each zero mode waveguide having a base, each zero mode waveguide having a nanopore extending through its base;
- exposing the bottom of the zero mode waveguide to a solution comprising attachment molecules, the attachment molecules having a threading portion which can extend through the nanopore, and a blocking portion which does not pass through the pore, wherein the threading portion comprises a binding moiety;
- providing an electric field across the array that drives the threading portion of the attachment molecules into the nanopores;
- adding biomolecules to the top of the array, the biomolecules comprising a group capable of reaction with the binding moiety on an attachment molecule;
- allowing the biomolecules to react with the binding moieties whereby a single biomolecule is isolated within a plurality of the zero mode waveguides.
A method for isolating single polymerase enzymes within a zero mode waveguides comprising:
- providing an array of zero mode waveguides on a substrate, each zero mode waveguide having a nanopore through its base;
- exposing the bottom of the zero mode waveguide to a solution comprising attachment molecules, the attachment molecules having a threading portion which can extend through the nanopore, and a blocking portion which does not pass through the pore, wherein the threading portion comprises an binding moiety;
- providing an electric field across the array that drives the threading portion of the attachment molecules into the nanopores;
- adding polymerase enzymes, each comprising a group capable of reaction with the binding moiety to the top of the array;
- and
- allowing the polymerase enzymes to react with the binding moieties whereby a single biomolecule is isolated in a plurality of the zero mode waveguides.
-26. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.