3D Nanopore Device for Tag-Free Biopolymer Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for detecting gene polymorphisms and charged biopolymers are expensive, time-consuming, and require tagging or labeling, limiting their effectiveness for early disease detection and diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a 3D nanopore device with multi-channel arrays that allows for tag-free, label-free, and amplification-free detection of charged biopolymer molecules by manipulating potentials to increase hybridization and detecting electrical characteristics, enabling rapid and efficient detection of gene polymorphisms and other charged biopolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sequencing methods are used, then detection accuracy is achieved, but detection time is long and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming steps of DNA amplification and probe tagging/labeling from the conventional sequencing workflow. By using nanopore-based direct sequencing, the method detects charged biopolymer molecules in their native state without requiring these intermediate processing steps, thereby achieving rapid detection within minutes while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical processing systems (PCR amplification machines, labeling equipment) with a simpler nanopore-based electrical detection system. The nanopore device directly sequences charged biopolymers by measuring ionic current changes as molecules pass through the pore, substituting mechanical/chemical workflows with an electrical measurement approach that is both faster and more cost-effective.
2Measurement precision
If amplification and tagging techniques are used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nanopore-based detection system inherently provides the sensitivity needed for detection without requiring external amplification or tagging steps. The nanopore's ability to detect single-molecule ionic current blockades provides built-in sensitivity, eliminating the need for separate amplification reactions and labeling procedures, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the unnecessary amplification and tagging steps from the detection process. By directly introducing charged biopolymer samples into the nanopore device, the method achieves detection without these intermediate processing steps, simplifying the overall workflow while maintaining the ability to detect low-abundance targets through single-molecule sensitivity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used, then comprehensive detection is achieved, but throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an array of multiple nanopores operating in parallel to increase throughput. Each nanopore in the array can independently detect charged biopolymer molecules, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple samples or multiple sequencing reactions. This segmented approach maintains comprehensive detection capability while multiplying the overall throughput by the number of active nanopores in the array.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanopore-based system enables continuous detection of charged biopolymers without the intermittent processing steps required by conventional methods. Samples can be continuously introduced into the nanopore device, and detection occurs in real-time as molecules translocate through the pores, eliminating idle time between processing steps and maximizing throughput while maintaining comprehensive detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach facilitates rapid detection of charged biopolymers in under 10 minutes, enhancing sensitivity and throughput while reducing costs, making it suitable for point-of-care diagnostics and genetic disorder prognosis.
Implementation Method 1
A nanopore is a small hole (e.g., with a diameter of in the nanometer range that can detect the flow of charged particles (e.g., ions, molecules, etc.) through the hole by the change in the ionic current and/or tunneling current.
Implementation Method 2
A nanopore is a small hole (e.g., with a diameter of in the nanometer range that can detect the flow of charged particles (e.g., ions, molecules, etc.) through the hole by the change in the ionic current and/or tunneling current.
Implementation Method 3
Because each nucleotide of a nucleic acid (e.g., adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine in DNA, uracil in RNA) affects the electric current density across the nanopore in a specific manner as it physically passes through the nanopore, measuring changes in the current flowing through a nanopore during translocation results in data that can be used to directly sequence a nucleic acid molecule passing through the nanopore.
Implementation Method 4
manipulating potentials to increase hybridization and detecting electrical characteristics
Data Source
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AI summary
A nanopore device for detecting charged biopolymer molecules and defining a nanochannel, includes a first gating nanoelectrode addressing a first end of the nanochannel. The device also includes a second gating nanoelectrode addressing a second end of the nanochannel opposite the first end. The device further includes a first sensing nanoelectrode addressing a first location in the nanochannel between the first and second ends.