A method for reproducibly preparing synthetic nanopores for resistive-pulse biosensors.
There is increasing interest in using nanopores in synthetic membranes as resistive-pulse sensors for biomedical analytes. Analytes detected with prototype artificial-nanopore biosensors include drugs, DNA, proteins, and viruses. This field is, however, currently in its infancy. A key question that must be addressed in order for such sensors to progress from an interesting laboratory experiment to practical devices is: Can the artificial-nanopore sensing element be reproducibly prepared? We have been evaluating sensors that employ a conically shaped nanopore prepared by the track-etch method as the sensor element. We describe here a new two-step pore-etching procedure that allows for good reproducibility in nanopore fabrication. In addition, we describe a simple mathematical model that allows us to predict the characteristics of the pore produced given the experimental parameters of the two-step etch. This method and model constitute important steps toward developing practical, real-world, artificial-nanopore biosensors.
Wharton
John E
JE
Department of Chemistry and Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Interface, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA.
Jin
Pu
P
Sexton
Lindsay T
LT
Horne
Lloyd P
LP
Sherrill
Stefanie A
SA
Mino
Warren K
WK
Martin
Charles R
CR
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D011786:Quality Control; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial