Methods for producing ZMWs with islands of functionality

US8367159B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PACIFIC BIOSCIENCES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. · US

Inventors

• Jeremy Gray · Larkspur, US
• Ronald L. Cicero · Palo Alto, US
• Annette Grot · Cupertino, US
• Natasha Popovich · Menlo Park, US
• Stephen Dudek · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2010
• Grant date: Feb 5, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/6428
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The application relates to methods for producing islands of functionality within nanoscale apertures. Islands of functionality can be produced by growing an aperture constriction layer from the walls, functionalizing the exposed base of the aperture, then removing the aperture constriction layer. The aperture constriction layer can be produced, for example, by anodically growing an oxide layer onto a cladding through which the aperture extends. The islands of functionality can be used to bind a single molecule of interest, such as an enzyme within the nanoscale aperture.