Method of fabricating a nanochannel system for dna sequencing and nanoparticle characterization

A method of DNA sequencing using a nanochannel system that comprises a substrate comprising at least one pair of electrodes dissected by a nanochannel having a first end and a second end, wherein an inlet reservoir is joined to said first end of said nanochannel and an outlet reservoir is joined to said second end of said nanochannel, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing a DNA molecule comprising at least one base in said inlet reservoir;
• (b) applying a positive bias voltage to said outlet reservoir and a negative bias voltage to said inlet reservoir sufficient to cause said DNA molecule to be electrically pulled through said nanochannel;
• (c) measuring the transverse electrical current between said at least one pair of electrodes as said DNA molecule is pulled through said nanochannel;
• and
• (d) determining the composition of said at least one base in said DNA molecule based on said transverse electrical current.

A method of fabricating a nanochannel system comprising the steps of:

• (a) micropatterning a first glass substrate to form a first microelectrode and a second microelectrode;
• (b) micropatterning said first glass substrate to form a first microchannel portion and a second microchannel portion;
• (c) depositing a nanoelectrode on said glass substrate between said first microelectrode and said second microelectrode;
• (d) machining a nanochannel between said first microchannel portion and said second microchannel portion;
• (e) bonding a second glass substrate to said first glass substrate.