Macromolecule positioning by electrical potential

Abstract

Provided herein is technology relating to depositing and/or placing a macromolecule at a desired site for an assay and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and systems for placing or guiding a macromolecule such as a protein, a nucleic acid, or a protein:nucleic acid complex to an assay site, such as near a nanopore, a nanowell, or a zero mode waveguide.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for moving a macromolecule relative to an assay component, the device comprising:
 a) an electrode to generate an electric field; and   b) an assay component comprising a site within the electric field,   wherein the electric field generates a force that will move a macromolecule present in the electric field relative to the site.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a DNA sequencing occurs at the site. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein a phospholinked nucleotide is used for the DNA sequencing. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assay component comprises a zero mode waveguide. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assay component comprises a nanowell. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the electric field induces mixing within the assay component. 
     
     
         7 . A system for moving a macromolecule relative to an assay component, the system comprising:
 a) an electric field;   b) an assay component comprising a site within the electric field; and   c) a macromolecule within the electric field.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein a DNA sequencing occurs at the site. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the assay component comprises a zero mode waveguide. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the electric field increases a concentration of the macromolecule near the zero mode waveguide. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the assay component comprises a nanowell. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the electric field induces mixing within the assay component.