Graphene encapsulation of biological molecules for single molecule imaging
View Patent ↗In a method of preparing a single molecule sample of a biological material for use in an imaging experiment, the single molecule sample is deposited on a graphene substrate using a method such as nanopipetting. Excess bulk fluid surrounding the molecule is then removed, for example, by mechanical blotting or controlled evaporation. An enclosing layer of graphene is then deposited and sealed to the graphene substrate so as to encapsulate the molecule. This sealing may include floating the enclosing layer in a water bath and moving it into contact with the graphene substrate. The molecule of interest may be deposited directly on the substrate, or a linker molecule may be first deposited to provide an attachment between the substrate and the molecule of interest.
1 . A method for preparing a single molecule sample of a biological material of interest for use in a sample imaging experiment, the method comprising:
depositing said single biological molecule sample on a graphene substrate;
removing excess bulk fluid surrounding the molecule so as to leave only the molecule in its hydration shell; and
depositing an enclosing layer of graphene and sealing said enclosing layer to the graphene substrate so as to encapsulate the sample molecule, wherein the graphene substrate is mounted on, and in electrical contact with, a conductive grid, and is in electrical contact with the sample molecule.
2 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the single molecule sample is deposited by nanopipetting.
3 . A method according to claim 1 wherein, prior to the deposition of the sample, a chemical linker is deposited on the graphene substrate that binds to the graphene substrate and to the molecule.
4 . A method according claim 1 wherein removing excess bulk fluid surrounding the molecule comprises mechanical blotting.
5 . A method according to claim 1 wherein removing excess bulk fluid surrounding the molecule comprises controlled evaporation.
6 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the graphene substrate is in electrical contact with a conductive carrier and with the sample molecule.
7 . A method according to claim 6 wherein the enclosing layer of graphene is in electrical contact with a conductive carrier and with the sample molecule.
8 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the enclosing layer of graphene is mounted on a conductive carrier having a single radiation opening.
9 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the enclosing layer of graphene is mounted on a conductive carrier having a conductive support grid.
10 . A method according to claim 1 wherein depositing an enclosing layer of graphene comprises floating the enclosing layer on the surface of a water bath and moving into contact with the graphene substrate.
11 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the graphene substrate and the enclosing layer of graphene are each mounted on a conductive carrier, and wherein the carriers are bonded to each other to effectuate the encapsulation of the sample molecule.