Systems and methods for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer
First Claim
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1. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer including:
- a surface on which the lipid bilayer forms;
a source that is coupled to the surface;
a sensing circuit coupled to the source; and
a processor;
wherein the processor is programmed to;
determine that the lipid bilayer is formed on the surface based on a first measurement from the sensing circuit;
in response to the determination that the lipid bilayer is formed and after nanopore forming molecules are deposited on the lipid bilayer, control the source to apply an agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer for up to one second, causing a disruption in the lipid bilayer that tends to facilitate the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer; and
control the source to apply a checking stimulus level following the agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer and determine that the nanopore has been formed based on a second measurement received from the sensing circuit sensing in response to the checking stimulus level, wherein an absolute magnitude of the agitation stimulus level is at least two times greater than an absolute magnitude of the checking stimulus level.
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Abstract
Techniques for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer are described herein. In one example, an agitation stimulus level such as an electrical agitation stimulus is applied to a lipid bilayer wherein the agitation stimulus level tends to facilitate the formation of nanopores in the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, a change in an electrical property of the lipid bilayer resulting from the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer is detected, and a nanopore has formed in the lipid bilayer is determined based on the detected change in the lipid bilayer electrical property.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer including:
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a surface on which the lipid bilayer forms; a source that is coupled to the surface; a sensing circuit coupled to the source; and a processor; wherein the processor is programmed to; determine that the lipid bilayer is formed on the surface based on a first measurement from the sensing circuit; in response to the determination that the lipid bilayer is formed and after nanopore forming molecules are deposited on the lipid bilayer, control the source to apply an agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer for up to one second, causing a disruption in the lipid bilayer that tends to facilitate the formation of the nanopore in the lipid bilayer; and control the source to apply a checking stimulus level following the agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer and determine that the nanopore has been formed based on a second measurement received from the sensing circuit sensing in response to the checking stimulus level, wherein an absolute magnitude of the agitation stimulus level is at least two times greater than an absolute magnitude of the checking stimulus level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification