Massively parallel DNA sequencing apparatus
A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.
1. A DNA or genome sequencing structure comprising:
an electrode pair comprising a first metal, each electrode tapering to a tip-shaped end, with the electrodes separated by a nanogap configured to receive a biomolecule; and
a conductive island of a second metal or metal alloy deposited at or near each tip-shaped end of each electrode wherein the first and second metals are different;
wherein the biomolecule and the electrode pair form a stationary electronic circuit to detect composition of the biomolecule.
2. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , wherein each tip-shaped end comprises a rounded tip configuration.
3. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , wherein the nanogap is from about 5 nm to about 20 nm.
4. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , wherein the first metal is platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh) or titanium (Ti).
5. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive island deposit comprises a hemispherical nanoparticle.
6. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 5 , wherein the second metal is gold (Au).
7. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive island deposit comprises a nanopillar.
8. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 7 , wherein the metal alloy is gold-silver (Au—Ag), or gold-copper (Au—Cu) alloy.
9. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 7 , wherein the second metal is gold (Au).
10. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 9 , wherein the gold (Au) nanopillar further comprises embedded cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), molybdenum (MO), or vanadium (V) metallic nanoparticles.
11. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 9 , wherein the gold (Au) nanopillar further comprises embedded CoO, Co 2 O 3 , NiO, Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , CuO, Zn, Al 2 O 3 , MoO 2 , V 2 O 5 , SiO 2 ceramic nanoparticles.
12. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 1 , further comprising a biomolecule having two ends, each end of the biomolecule attached to the at least one conductive island deposit on each electrode such that the biomolecule bridges the nanogap, wherein the biomolecule is a protein or a DNA segment.
13. The DNA or genome sequencing structure of claim 12 , wherein the protein or DNA segment completes a circuit configured to electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing.
14. A DNA or genome sequencing system, comprising:
an electrode pair of a first metal disposed on a substrate, each electrode tapering to a tip-shaped end, with the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by the tip-shaped ends facing one another;
at least one conductive island deposit of a second metal or metal alloy on each electrode at a location at or near each tip-shaped end of each electrode;
a biomolecule having two ends, each end of the biomolecule attached to the at least one conductive island deposit on each electrode such that the biomolecule bridges the nanogap; and
a chamber encasing the electrode pair and defining a microfluidic subsystem configured to supply a solution to the electrode pair;
wherein the first and second metals are compositionally different.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the substrate comprises silicon (Si) and an intervening SiO 2 insulator layer disposed between the Si substrate and the pair of electrodes.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first metal is platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh) or titanium (Ti) and the second metal is gold (Au).
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the nanogap is from about 5 nm to about 20 nm.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one conductive island deposit comprises a nanopillar.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the nanopillar is substantially cylindrical, having a diameter of less than about 7 nm and a height of less than about 10 nm.
20. The system of claim 14 , wherein the structure comprises a plurality of layers of electrode pairs in a three-dimensional array configuration with electrode pairs connected to one another such that one electrode from each electrode pair is ganged together by a common lead and each of the other electrodes in each pair of electrodes are left unconnected to one another, enabling independent and sequential interrogation of each electrode pair.