Nanopore arrays
A method of analyzing molecules using a nanopore array including a plurality of cells included on a chip is disclosed. Nanopores are caused to be formed in at least a portion of the plurality of the cells. A first physical measurement of the nanopores is evaluated. It is determined whether to cause the molecules to interact with the nanopores. At least a portion of the nanopores is caused to interact with the molecules. A second physical measurement of the nanopores that indicates a property of the molecules is evaluated. It is determined whether to cause the nanopores to be reformed so that the cells may be reused to interact with additional molecules.
1. A system for analyzing a plurality of molecules, the system comprising:
a nanopore array including a plurality of cells included on a chip;
a fluidic system configured to send one or more reagents to the nanopore array;
a data interface configured to receive measurements from the plurality of cells; and
a master controller, the master controller programmed to:
assemble lipid bilayers in the plurality of cells;
insert nanopores into the assembled lipid bilayers;
determine states of the plurality of cells based on measurements from the plurality of cells;
analyze a sample using the inserted nanopores;
after analyzing the sample; direct the fluidic system to rinse out the contents within the cells;
assemble new lipid bilayers in the plurality of cells;
insert nanopores into the new lipid bilayers;
determine states of the plurality of cells with the new lipid bilayers based on measurements from the plurality of cells; and
analyze a second sample using the nanopores inserted into the new lipid bilayers.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a memory that stores information about the states of the plurality of cells.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the master controller is further configured to determine when to receive measurements from the nanopore array.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the measurements from the nanopore array is used to analyze the molecules.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a state for each cell includes one of the following: a lipid bilayer is not formed, a lipid bilayer is formed, and a nanopore is formed.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more reagents include the plurality of molecules.