×

Apparatus and method for electrical detection of oligonucleotides through pore blockades

  • US 9,428,806 B2
  • Filed: 02/25/2014
  • Issued: 08/30/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for detecting the presence of nucleic acids with a target sequence in a sample, the method comprising:

  • (a) providing a detection apparatus, said detection apparatus comprising;

    (i) a first chamber;

    (ii) a second chamber;

    (iii) a membrane separating said first and second chambers, said membrane having one or more pores extending through the membrane between the first and second chambers;

    (iv) a first electrode disposed in the first chamber; and

    (v) a second electrode disposed in the second chamber;

    (b) introducing a liquid into said first and second chambers;

    (c) applying a direct electric current to said first and second electrodes with a negative polarity being connected to the first electrode;

    (d) measuring electric current between the electrodes as a reference current;

    (e) preparing at least one bead which is conjugated with one or more strands of capture probe nucleic acid that are complementary to a desired target sequence of a sample to be detected;

    (f) capping charged groups on the prepared beads to render the beads with a neutral charge;

    (g) introducing one or more of the capped beads and a sample into the first chamber to hybridize the capture probe to the desired target sequence; and

    (h) detecting the target sequence by measuring electric current between the electrodes after introduction of the beads and sample and comparing the measured current with the reference current;

    (i) wherein a decrease in measured electric current indicates the presence of one or more strands of target nucleic acid that are complementary to the probe sequence conjugated to the bead; and

    (j) wherein said decrease in measured electric current results from electrophoretic movement of the beads bound to charged target nucleic acid strands to a pore of diameter less than the bead diameter or tapered to a lesser diameter and the beads causing sustained blockage of one or more pores.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×