Molecular analysis system with well array
Nanopore-based molecular analysis systems including a disposable well array, methods of analysis of biomolecules using nanopore molecular analysis systems, and methods of fabricating disposable well arrays are provided.
1. A high density array of microwells, the array comprising:
a) a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of microwells, wherein the dimension of each of the microwells is defined by a high aspect ratio, and wherein the substrate is comprised of silicon or glass;
b) a plurality of electrodes, wherein a single electrode is disposed in each of the plurality of microwells; and
c) a plurality of connectors, wherein each of the connectors is in electrical communication with a microwell.
2. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the high aspect ratio is greater than or equal to a height to diameter ratio of about 5.
3. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the high aspect ratio is greater than or equal to a height to diameter ratio of about 10.
4. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the high aspect ratio is greater than or equal to a height to diameter ratio of about 15.
5. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness of about 300 μm and each of the microwells has a diameter of about 20 μm and a depth of up to about 300 μm.
6. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes has a surface area that covers greater than 25 percent of the interior walls of the microwell in which it is disposed.
7. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes has a surface area that covers great than 50 percent of the interior walls of the microwell in which it is disposed.
8. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of electrodes has a surface area that covers substantially 100 percent of the interior walls of the microwell in which it is disposed.
9. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the density of the microwells is greater than about 10,000 per cm 2 .
10. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein the density of the microwells is greater than about 50,000 per cm 2 .
11. The high density array of claim 1 , wherein each of the connectors is compliant.
12. The high density array of claim 11 , wherein each of the compliant connectors is comprised of a non-conductive compliant polymer coated with a metal.
13. The high density array of claim 11 , wherein the compliant connectors are comprised of a conductive compliant polymer.
14. A device for determining nucleic acid sequence information, the device comprising:
a) a high density array of microwells of claim 1 ;
b) a semiconductor chip in reversible electrical communication with the high density array; and
c) an upper fluidic region in fluidic communication with the high density array.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the high density array and the upper fluidic region are disposable and the semiconductor chip is reusable.
16. The device of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the connectors of the array are compliant and form the electrical communication with the semiconductor chip.
17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the compliant connectors comprise a PEDOT polymer or a hybrid polymer comprising a conductive material.
18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the compliant connectors comprise a non-conductive polymer coated with a metal.
19. A high density array of microwells, the array comprising:
a) a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of microwells, wherein the dimension of each of the microwells is defined by a high aspect ratio;
b) a plurality of electrodes, wherein a single electrode is disposed in each of the plurality of microwells; and
c) a plurality of connectors, wherein each of the connectors is in electrical communication with a microwell, and wherein each of the connectors is compliant.
20. The high density array of claim 19 , wherein each of the compliant connectors is comprised of a non-conductive compliant polymer coated with a metal.
21. The high density array of claim 19 , wherein the compliant connectors are comprised of a conductive compliant polymer.
22. A device for determining nucleic acid sequence information, the device comprising:
a) a high density array of microwells of claim 19 ;
b) a semiconductor chip in reversible electrical communication with the high density array; and
c) an upper fluidic region in fluidic communication with the high density array.
23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the high density array and the upper fluidic region are disposable and the semiconductor chip is reusable.
24. The device of claim 22 , wherein the compliant connectors comprise a PEDOT polymer or a hybrid polymer comprising a conductive material.
25. The device of claim 22 , wherein the compliant connectors comprise a non-conductive polymer coated with a metal.