Nanofluidic flow cell and method of loading same

A method of loading a flow cell, comprising:

• providing molecules in a fluid between spaced-apart first and second substrates, at least one of the first and second substrates having a nanoscale surface topography including at least one nanoscale groove extending into said substrate;
• and
• displacing at least one of the first and second substrates to contact the first substrate against the second substrate, contact between the first substrate and the second substrate causing displacement of the molecules in the fluid into the at least one nanoscale groove and confining the molecules therein.

A method of loading a flow cell, comprising:

• deforming at least part of the flow cell to confine a biological molecule within a nanoscale groove of the flow cell such that a first end of the biological molecule is proximate to a second end of the biological molecule.