Base-by-base ratcheting of dna/rna in a y-shaped nanochannel
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsBinquan Luan, Ruhong Zhou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanism is provided for ratcheting a double strand molecule. The double strand molecule is driven into a Y-channel of a membrane by a first voltage pulse. The Y-channel includes a stem and branches, and the branches are connected to the stem at a junction. The double strand molecule is slowed at the junction of the Y-channel based on the first voltage pulse being weaker than a force required to break a base pair of the double strand molecule. The double strand molecule is split into a first single strand and a second single strand by driving the double strand molecule into the junction of the Y-channel at a second voltage pulse.
Claims11
1-10. (canceled)
A system for ratcheting a double strand molecule, the system comprising:
- a membrane comprising a Y-channel, the Y-channel comprises a stem and branches, the branches being connected to the stem at a junction;
- and
- a top fluidic chamber on one side of the membrane and a bottom fluidic chamber on an opposing side of the membrane;
- a first voltage pulse of a voltage source drives the double strand molecule into the Y-channel of the membrane;
- wherein the double strand molecule is slowed at the junction of the Y-channel based on the first voltage pulse being weaker than a force required to break a base pair of the double strand molecule;
- a second voltage pulse of the voltage source drives the double strand molecule into the junction of the Y-channel to split the double strand molecule into a first single strand and a second single strand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.