University of Pennsylvania

University of California

Oxford Nanopore Inc.

Ken Healy

Marija Drndic

Ping Xie

Kenneth J Shea

Meni Wanunu

Zuzanna S Siwy

Kimberly Elizabeth Venta

Christopher Ali Merchant

Matthew Pevarnik

Lauren J Willis

Matthew Puster

Neil Peterman

Justin Millis

John Bartel

Vishva Ray

Laura Michele Innes

Matthew Schiel

Disclosed are insulated nanoelectrode associated with nanopores, useful in macromolecular analysis devices. Also disclosed are related methods of fabrication and use.

Insulated nanoelectrode-nanopore devices and related methods

Provided are graphene-based nanopore and nanostructure devices, which devices may include an insulating layer disposed atop the graphene, which can be in a planar shape or nanostructured into a ribbon or other shapes, containing a single graphene layer or several layers. Graphene layers and nanostructures can be placed nearby horizontally or stacked vertically. Also provided are related methods of fabricating and processing such devices and also methods of using such devices in macromolecular analysis.

Graphene-based nanopore and nanostructure devices and methods for macromolecular analysis

Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.

Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown

A method for multiplex characterization of individual particles by their size, shape, mechanical properties (deformability), and chemical affinity to recognition agents. The analysis can be performed from concentrated solutions. The method detects transient sticking of particles in the pore and points to its location along a pore axis. If a pore is decorated with a recognition agent for an analyte present in a solution, it is possible to distinguish specific binding at the place of the recognition agent, and non-specific adsorption of the analyte. The method confirms whether any individual particle or hydrogel completely translocates the pore and allows unambiguous detection and characterization of multiple particles or hydrogels in the pore, which would previously corrupt the results, so that higher analyte concentrations can be used for faster analysis. High aspect ratio of the pores (ratio of pore length and diameter) together with the pattern of ion current pulses also allow passage of the same particle or cell multiple times without letting the cell exit the pore.

Faster resistive-pulse sensing together with physical and mechanical characterization of particles and cells

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Auburn, AL, United States of America

Ken Healy