MXene Nanopore Sequencer of Biopolymers
AssigneesNortheastern University, Auburn University
InventorsMeni WANUNU, Mehrnaz MOJTABAVI, Armin VAHID MOHAMMADI, Majid BEIDAGHI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present technology provides a nanopore electrode sequencer for the characterization and sequencing of biomolecules. Two or more ultrathin MXene sheets containing nanopores serve as electrodes that bind and store cations which can be released to provide ionic current through the nanopore during sequencing, thereby eliminating access resistance to ions at the entrance to the nanopore from bulk solution. Resolution of ionic current changes caused by biopolymer components within the nanopore is thereby substantially improved, providing more sensitive and robust sequencing of biopolymers.
Claims25
A device for sequencing biopolymers, the device comprising,
- a first MXene layer configured as an electrode;
- a second MXene layer disposed on a surface of the first MXene layer;
- an interlayer space between the first and second MXene layers;
- an insulator layer disposed on a surface of the second MXene layer opposite the interlayer space;
- a first electrolyte solution chamber configured to contain electrolyte solution in contact with a surface of the first MXene layer opposite the interlayer space;
- a solution electrode disposed in the first electrolyte solution chamber.
- a second electrolyte solution chamber configured to contain electrolyte solution in contact with said insulator layer;
- and
- a nanopore penetrating through the first MXene layer, the interlayer space, the second MXene layer, and the insulator layer, and forming a conductive pathway between the first and second electrolyte chambers.
A device for sequencing biopolymers, the device comprising,
- a first MXene layer configured as an electrode and contacting a first electrical contact layer;
- a second MXene layer disposed on a surface of the first MXene layer opposite the first electrical contact layer;
- a first interlayer space between the first and second MXene layers;
- a first insulator layer disposed on a surface of the second MXene layer opposite the interlayer space;
- a third MXene layer disposed on a surface of the first insulator layer opposite the second MXene layer;
- a fourth MXene layer disposed on a surface of the third MXene layer opposite the first insulator layer;
- a second interlayer space between the third and fourth MXene layers;
- an electrical contact layer disposed on a surface of the fourth MXene layer opposite the second interlayer space;
- a second insulator layer disposed on a surface of the electrical contact layer opposite the fourth MXene layer;
- a first electrolyte solution chamber configured to contain electrolyte solution in contact with a surface of the first MXene layer opposite the first interlayer space;
- a second electrolyte solution chamber configured to contain electrolyte solution in contact with the second insulator layer;
- and
- a nanopore penetrating through the first electrical contact layer, the first MXene layer, the first interlayer space, the second MXene layer, the first insulator layer, the third MXene layer, the second interlayer space, the fourth MXene layer, the second electrical contact layer, and the second insulator layer, and forming a conductive pathway between the first and second electrolyte chambers.
A method of sequencing a biopolymer, the method comprising,
- (a) providing the device of any of the preceding claims, a voltage source, an amplifier, an electrolyte solution, and a biopolymer;
- (b) optionally processing the biopolymer by a method that comprises denaturation and/or fragmentation;
- (c) depositing the electrolyte solution into the first and second electrolyte solution chambers of the device and depositing the biopolymer or processed biopolymer into the electrolyte solution in the first electrolyte solution chamber;
- (d) applying a voltage difference between the first and second electrolyte solution chambers, thereby causing a single molecule of the biopolymer to move through the nanopore of the device and causing current flow through the nanopore;
- (e) measuring a change in current flow associated with the passage of monomer units of the biopolymer through the nanopore;
- and
- (f) correlating the change in current flow with a known change in current flow characteristic of passage of a specific type of monomeric unit through the nanopore, thereby determining the identity of the monomer;
- (g) repeating steps (e) and (f) to determine a sequence of monomeric units of the biopolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.