Method for determining biophysical properties

1. A method for detecting a change in the conformational or energetic state of a molecular species during or after a reaction, comprising the steps of:

(i) immobilizing the molecular species, under conditions suitable for the reaction to occur;

(ii) contacting at least part of the molecular species with a localized area of electromagnetic field enhancement; and

(iii) detecting a change in dielectric constant during or after the reaction, to thereby detect a change in the conformational or energetic state of the molecular species.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the molecular species is immobilized to a solid support.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the molecular species is a protein.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the molecular species is a polynucleotide processive enzyme.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein a conformational change results from the interaction of the enzyme with a target polynucleotide.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the enzyme is a polymerase.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein incorporation of each of the nucleotides A, T (U), G and C causes a characteristic change in the energetic state/conformation of the polymerase.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the localized area of electromagnetic field enhancement is created by positioning the molecular species between first and second electrodes and applying an electrical signal to the first electrode.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first and second electrodes are spaced between 1 nm and 1mm apart.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the electrical signal is an AC voltage of predetermined frequency.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the frequency is between 1 Hz and 100 GHz.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein a change in the conformational or energy state of the molecular species is detected by measuring a change in the impedance of the electrodes.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein a change in the conformational or energy state of the molecular species is detected by measuring a change in the total capacitance of the electrodes.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the capacitance is measured using an AC bridge.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the localized area of electromagnetic field enhancement is created by an integrated plasmon wave concentrator, microfabricated on a metal layer capable of supporting surface plasmons.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the plasmon wave concentrator comprises a sub-wavelength aperture surrounded by at least one linear groove, with dielectric layers above and below.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the at least one linear groove is situated on both the upper and reverse sides of the metal layer.

18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein a change in the conformational or energy state of the molecular species is detected by creating a visible or infra-red laser incident to the metal layer(s) and measuring a change in the intensity of the light emitted from the sub-wavelength aperature.

19. The method according to claim 16 , wherein a change in the conformational or energy state of the molecular species is detected by creating a visible or infra-red laser incident to the metal layer(s) and measuring the phase shift of light emitted from the sub-wavelength aperture as it passes through a concentrator structure.

20. The method according to claim 16 , wherein a change in the conformational or energy state of the molecular species is detected by creating a broad-band electromagnetic beam incident to the metal layer(s) and measuring a change in the wavelength of light emitted from the sub-wavelength aperature.

21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the localized area of electromagnetic field enhancement is created by a metalized scanning probe microscope or atomic force microscope tip, on a surface plasmon supporting surface.