Formation of layers of amphiphilic molecules

Abstract

To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

1 - 71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . A device for nucleic acid sequencing comprising:
 an array of at least 100 nanopores, above the array of nanopores, in fluidic contact with the array of nanopores, an upper fluidic region comprising an upper electrode, the upper fluidic region comprising nucleic acid molecules, below each nanopore, in fluidic contact with each nanopore, a discrete fluidic region, each discrete fluidic region comprising a lower electrode, wherein there is no direct fluidic contact between the discrete fluidic regions, wherein voltage is applied between the upper electrode and the lower electrodes, resulting in translocation of a nucleic acid molecule through a plurality of the nanopores, and whereby a measured electrical signal is used to determine sequences of a plurality of nucleic acid molecules.   
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the device comprises a semiconductor substrate. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 73  wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises electronic circuitry. 
     
     
         75 . The device of  claim 74  wherein the electronic circuitry comprises amplifiers, analog to digital converters, memory, or clock circuits. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 72  wherein each discrete reservoir has two electrodes, one acting as a drive electrode, and one acting as a measurement electrode. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the nanopores comprise protein nanopores. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 77  wherein the protein nanopores comprise alpha-hemolysin proteins. 
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the protein nanopores are within biological membranes. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the nucleic acid comprises DNA. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 72  wherein the device comprises a substrate comprising a semiconductor component bound to an insulator component.