IP Library › Patent Application 12414208
Patent Application
App. No. 12/414,208

Materials and Methods Relating to Nano-Tags and Nano-Brands

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/414,208
Abstract

The invention relates to novel methods and materials for encoding and decoding information on individual molecules through the use of nano-tags, nano-barcodes, or modifications of a native molecule.

Claims (28)

1 . A method of analyzing a polymer comprising the steps of:

a) modifying a monomer in a polymer consisting of two or more monomer types; and

b) detecting the position of the modified monomer in a single intact polymer.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein two or more monomers of a particular type are modified.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein two or more monomers of a particular type are detected.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein different monomer types are modified.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein two or more types of monomer in a polymer are modified and detected.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of adding at least one atom, removing at least one atom, and replacing at least one atom.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is an oligomer.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises nucleic acids.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises amino acids.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises saccharides.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detection step comprises detecting properties selected from the group consisting of charge, shape, mass, electron flow, and combinations thereof.

12 . A method of detecting nano-tags comprising the steps of:

a) passing a nano-tag into a confined space which causes a conformational change in the structure of the nano-tag; and

b) detecting the conformational change of the nano-tag.

13 . The method of claim 1 or 12 , wherein the detection step comprises an imaging process selected from the group consisting of atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunneling electron microscopy, and combinations thereof.

14 . A method of nucleic acid sequencing comprising the steps of:

a) specifically modifying one or more base types in a nucleic acid molecule; and

b) identifying the base type at two or more consecutive positions in an individual nucleic acid molecule.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the modifications are mediated by a base-specific ligand.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the base-specific ligand is selected from the group consisting of a peptide or an aptamer.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the modifications are mediated by a method selected from the group consisting of

a) direct chemical modification by addition of a polymer subunit type,

b) direct chemical modification by partial or complete removal of a polymer subunit type,

c) chemical modification by partial or complete replacement of a polymer subunit type, and

d) indirect chemical modification by addition, replacement, or removal of a polymer subunit type.

18 - 34 . (canceled)