Separation and counting of single molecules through nanofluidics, programmable electrophoresis, and nanoelectrode-gated tunneling and dielectric detection
US7033476B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25D21/12
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for carrying out the separation, detection, and/or counting of single molecules at nanometer scale. Molecular separation is achieved by driving single molecules through a microfluidic or nanofluidic medium using programmable and coordinated electric fields. In various embodiments, the fluidic medium is a strip of hydrophilic material on nonconductive hydrophobic surface, a trough produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base, or a covered passageway produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base together with a nonconductive cover on the parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material. The molecules are detected and counted using nanoelectrode-gated electron tunneling methods, dielectric monitoring, and other methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.