Characterization of individual polymer molecules based on monomer-interface interactions

A method for characterizing a target polynucleic acid comprising:

• a) providing a surface containing a channel of a dimension sufficient to allow sequential monomer-by-monomer passage through the channel of a single-stranded polynucleic acid, but not of a double-stranded polynucleic acid;
• b) providing a source of hybridized target polynucleic acid at the surface;
• c) applying a voltage across the channel to drive the target polynucleic acid to the channel so that a single strand of the target polynucleic acid enters the channel and to hold the target polynucleic acid adjacent to the channel for a time sufficient for the hybridized target polynucleic acid to undergo strand separation at the surface, wherein the single strand of the target polynucleic acid passes through the channel;
• and
• d) making one or more measurements over time as the single strand of the target polynucleic acid moves relative to the channel yielding data suitable to determine a polymer-dependent property of the target polynucleic acid.