Nanosensors and methods of making and using nanosensors

Abstract

In one aspect, molecular sensors and methods of making molecular sensors are described herein. In some embodiments, such a sensor comprises a first layer having a dual nanohole structure and a second layer having at least one nanopore. In some embodiments, the first and second layer define a chip of the sensor. In another aspect, methods of sensing are described herein, which in some embodiments comprise (i) providing a test sample comprising complexed and/or non-complexed biomolecules; (ii) contacting the test sample with the first layer of the molecular sensor; (iii) irradiating the dual nanohole structure of the sensor with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; (iv) optically trapping the biomolecules in the dual nanohole structure and measuring a surface plasmon resonance; (v) applying an electric field across the nanopore of the sensor; and (vi) measuring change in current across the nanopore during one or more translocation events of the biomolecules.