Individually Addressable Nanopore Cells for Reusable Molecular Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biochips face challenges in being robust, efficient, and cost-effective due to the need for miniaturization of bulky sensing tools, which affects their performance and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A nanopore array system with individually controllable and addressable cells, including a master controller, temperature controller, and fluidic system, allows for the formation and insertion of nanopores in lipid bilayers, enabling efficient analysis and reuse of biochips by flushing out contents and reforming nanopores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nanopore arrays are integrated into biochips for miniaturization, then sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the biochip into multiple individually controllable and addressable cells, each containing nanopore sensing elements. This segmentation allows independent operation of each cell, enabling precise sensing while managing complexity through modular architecture. The master controller can address specific cells as needed rather than managing the entire array as a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanopore array system implements dynamic control where cells can be individually activated, deactivated, or reconfigured based on experimental needs. The master controller enables dynamic addressing and control of specific cells, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to match the actual sensing requirements for each measurement task.
2Ease of operation
If biochips are miniaturized for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality control by enabling individual cell addressing and control within the miniaturized biochip. Each cell can be independently monitored and maintained, ensuring that miniaturization does not compromise overall reliability. The master controller can identify and manage issues in specific cells without affecting the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanopore array system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the master controller continuously monitors the state of individual cells and adjusts control parameters accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that miniaturized devices maintain reliable operation by detecting and responding to changes in real-time, compensating for the challenges of miniaturization.
3Measurement precision
If nanopores are formed in lipid bilayers for sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares lipid bilayers and nanopore structures in advance within each cell before actual sensing operations begin. This preliminary formation allows controlled creation of nanopores under optimized conditions, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining the sensing accuracy benefits of lipid-based nanopores.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanopore formation process leverages self-assembly properties of lipid bilayers and nanopore proteins, allowing the structures to form spontaneously under appropriate conditions without requiring extremely precise external manipulation. This self-service approach reduces the manufacturing precision burden while maintaining high sensing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing molecules using a nanopore array including a plurality of cells included on a chip is disclosed. Nanopores are caused to be formed in at least a portion of the plurality of the cells. A first physical measurement of the nanopores is evaluated. It is determined whether to cause the molecules to interact with the nanopores. At least a portion of the nanopores is caused to interact with the molecules. A second physical measurement of the nanopores that indicates a property of the molecules is evaluated. It is determined whether to cause the nanopores to be reformed so that the cells may be reused to interact with additional molecules.