Systems for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer
First Claim
1. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer, comprising:
- a chamber containing a nanopore forming solution, wherein the nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer, the nanopore forming solution having a concentration level and a corresponding activity level of pore molecules such that nanopores are preferentially inserted via an active mechanism that depends on a voltage stimulus waveform applied across the lipid bilayer over a passive mechanism that depends on a self-assembly process; and
a processor programmed to;
control a voltage source to initiate formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer, wherein initiating formation of a nanopore comprises applying the voltage stimulus waveform having a predetermined duration to the lipid bilayer.
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Abstract
A method of forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer is disclosed. A nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer. The nanopore forming solution has a concentration level and a corresponding activity level of pore molecules such that nanopores are substantially not formed un-stimulated in the lipid bilayer. Formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer is initiated by applying an agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, the concentration level and the corresponding activity level of pore molecules are at levels such that less than 30 percent of a plurality of available lipid bilayers have nanopores formed un-stimulated therein.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer, comprising:
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a chamber containing a nanopore forming solution, wherein the nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer, the nanopore forming solution having a concentration level and a corresponding activity level of pore molecules such that nanopores are preferentially inserted via an active mechanism that depends on a voltage stimulus waveform applied across the lipid bilayer over a passive mechanism that depends on a self-assembly process; and a processor programmed to; control a voltage source to initiate formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer, wherein initiating formation of a nanopore comprises applying the voltage stimulus waveform having a predetermined duration to the lipid bilayer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18)
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16. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer, comprising:
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a chamber containing a nanopore forming solution, wherein the nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer; and a processor programmed to; control a source to initiate formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer, wherein initiating formation of a nanopore comprises applying an agitation stimulus level of a predetermined duration to the lipid bilayer; and after the agitation stimulus level, control the source to apply a measuring stimulus level to the lipid bilayer to determine that a nanopore has been formed based on a measurement in response to the measuring stimulus level, wherein an absolute magnitude of the agitation stimulus level is different from an absolute magnitude of the measuring stimulus level. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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19. A system for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer, comprising:
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a chamber containing a nanopore forming solution, wherein the nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer, the nanopore forming solution having a concentration level and a corresponding activity level of pore molecules such that nanopores are preferentially inserted via an active mechanism that depends on a voltage stimulus waveform applied across the lipid bilayer over a passive mechanism that depends on a self-assembly process; and a processor programmed to; control a voltage source to initiate formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer, wherein initiating formation of a nanopore comprises applying the voltage stimulus waveform to the lipid bilayer; detect whether a nanopore has been formed in the lipid bilayer; and in the event that a nanopore is not detected, iteratively initiate formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer, comprising; controlling the voltage source to increase an amplitude of the voltage stimulus waveform applied to the lipid bilayer; and detecting whether a nanopore has been formed in the lipid bilayer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification