Nanopore device and methods of fabricating and using the same

Abstract

Nanopore devices including microfluidic introduction members and methods of using the same are provided. The subject devices include first and second fluid containment members separated by a fluid barrier having a single nanopore therein providing fluid communication between the first and second fluid containment members, and a microfluidic introduction member for conveying a fluid sample from a first site distal from the nanopore to a second site proximal to the nanopore. Also provided are methods of fabricating such a device and methods of using such a device for improved detection and characterization of a sample

1 . A device comprising: 
 a first fluid containment member;    a second fluid containment member;    a fluid barrier separating said first and second fluid containment members;    a nanopore present in said fluid barrier; and    a microfluidic introduction member for conveying a fluid sample from a first site distal from said nanopore to a second site proximal to said nanopore.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said nanopore has a diameter length ranging from about 1 nm to about 100 nm.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises two or more microfluidic introduction members for conveying a sample to said nanopore.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic introduction member is a microfluidic channel.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein said microfluidic channel has an inner diameter ranging from about 1 μm to about 10 μm.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises first and second electrodes positioned on opposite sides of said nanopore.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said device further comprises an element for applying a voltage between said first and second electrodes.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said device further comprises an element for measuring an electrical current between said first and second electrodes.  
     
     
         9 . A method comprising: 
 applying a voltage between first and second electrodes of a device comprising first and second fluid containment members separated by a fluid barrier having a single nanopore therein; and a microfluidic introduction member for conveying a fluid sample from a first site distal from said nanopore to a second site proximal to said nanopore, and    monitoring electrical current through said said nanopore or between said electrodes.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 providing a sample in the microfluidic introduction member prior to said monitoring.    
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein same sample comprises a polymeric compound.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said polymeric compound is nucleic acid.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said monitoring is performed over a period of time.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said method is a method of characterizing a polymeric compound.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said method of characterizing is a method of sequencing a nucleic acid.