Detecting a single molecule using a micropore-nanopore hybrid chip.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biophysics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nanopore technology is increasingly vital for DNA sequencing and biomolecule sensing.
• Existing methods often assume linear responses to biomolecule concentration, which may not always hold true.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel sensing devices utilizing integrated nanopore and micropore chip technology.
• To investigate the relationship between biomolecule concentration and ionic current changes during translocation.
• To extract detailed translocation dynamics, such as translocation gesture, from current signals.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of integrated chips featuring nanopore arrays in polycarbonate membranes and micropores in silicon nitride films.
• Recording and analysis of transmembrane ionic currents induced by biomolecule translocation through the nanopores.
• Characterization of current blockages to extract translocation event information.

Main Results:

• The detected ionic current did not exhibit a linear correlation with increasing biomolecule concentration.
• Detailed translocation information, including translocation gestures, was successfully extracted from discrete current blockage events.
• The integrated nanofluidic device demonstrated potential for sensitive biomolecule detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanofluidic device, integrating micropores and nanopores, shows significant promise for advanced biomolecule sensing applications.
• The non-linear current response and extracted translocation dynamics offer new insights into biomolecule-nanopore interactions.
• This technology provides a robust platform for future developments in biosensing and molecular analysis.