Fast DNA sequencing via transverse electronic transport.
A rapid and low-cost method to sequence DNA would usher in a revolution in medicine. We propose and theoretically show the feasibility of a protocol for sequencing based on the distributions of transverse electrical currents of single-stranded DNA while it translocates through a nanopore. Our estimates, based on the statistics of these distributions, reveal that sequencing of an entire human genome could be done with very high accuracy in a matter of hours without parallelization, that is, orders of magnitude faster than present techniques. The practical implementation of our approach would represent a substantial advancement in our ability to study, predict, and cure diseases from the perspective of the genetic makeup of each individual.
Lagerqvist
Johan
J
Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0319, USA.
Zwolak
Michael
M
Di Ventra
Massimiliano
M
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004579:Electron Transport; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008956:Models, Chemical; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D004247:DNA