Systems and methods using magnetically-responsive sensors for determining a genetic characteristic

Abstract

Some examples herein provide methods for determining a sequence of a nucleic acid template hybridized to a complementary strand. A polymerase coupled to a magnetically-responsive sensor may capture the nucleic acid template hybridized to the complementary strand. The polymerase and the captured nucleic acid template hybridized to the complementary strand may be contacted with a first fluid comprising a nucleotide. The polymerase may incorporate the nucleotide into the complementary strand based on the sequence of the nucleic acid template. The polymerase and the captured nucleic acid template hybridized to the complementary strand, including the incorporated nucleotide, may be contacted with a second fluid comprising a magnetic particle. The incorporated nucleotide may capture the magnetic particle from the second fluid. The captured magnetic particle may cause a change in electrical resistance at the magnetically-responsive sensor. The change in electrical resistance may be used to identify the incorporated nucleotide.