Nanopore device for drug-like molecule screening or lead optimization to a targeted protein

Abstract

A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics includes a membrane having an opening configured to permit a charged molecule to pass but to block a protein molecule attached to a ligand connecting to the charged molecule, the opening being filled with an electrolytic solution. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged molecule through the opening. A sensor circuit is coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged molecules passing into the opening. The current changes are employed to trigger a bias field increase to cause separation between the ligand and the protein to infer an interaction strength.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics, comprising:
 a membrane having an opening configured to permit a charged molecule to pass but to block a protein molecule attached to a ligand connecting to the charged molecule, the opening being filled with an electrolytic solution;   an electric field generator configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged molecule through the opening; and   a sensor circuit coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged molecules passing into the opening, the current changes being employed to trigger a bias field increase to cause separation between the ligand and the protein molecule to infer an interaction strength.   
     
     
         2 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes one of a nanopore and a channel. 
     
     
         3 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electric field generator includes a battery and two electrodes disposed across opposite ends of the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensor circuit measures current drops and durations to determine when to trigger the bias field. 
     
     
         5 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ligand includes a drug molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the charged molecule includes a closed functionalized end having charged chemical groups. 
     
     
         7 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the charged particle includes one of a carbon nanotube, DNA and a nano-wire. 
     
     
         8 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the charged particle is pulled through the opening using the biasing field and ruptured at a critical voltage value, the critical voltage value being determined to infer an interaction strength between the ligand and the protein molecule. 
     
     
         9 . A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics, comprising:
 a membrane having one or more openings, each opening being configured to permit a charged carbon nanotube to pass but to block a protein molecule attached to a ligand connecting to the carbon nanotube, the one or more openings being filled with an electrolytic solution;   an electric field generator configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged carbon nanotubes through the one or more openings; and   a sensor circuit coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged carbon nanotubes passing through the one or more openings, the current changes being employed to trigger an increase in the electric field to cause a force of separation between the ligand and the protein molecule at a critical voltage value, the critical voltage value being employed to infer an interaction strength between the ligand and the protein molecule.   
     
     
         10 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the opening includes one of a nanopore and a channel. 
     
     
         11 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the electric field generator includes a battery and two electrodes disposed across opposite ends of the one or more openings. 
     
     
         12 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the sensor circuit measures current drops and durations to determine when to trigger the increase. 
     
     
         13 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the charged carbon nanotube includes a closed functionalized end having charged chemical groups. 
     
     
         14 . The nanosensor as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the charged chemical groups include carboxyl groups.