Apparatus and method for molecular separation, purification, and sensing

Abstract

Described are devices and methods for forming one or more nanomembranes including electroactive nanomembranes within a nanowell or nanotube, or combinations thereof, in a support material. Nanopores/nanochannels can be formed by the electroactive nanomembrane within corresponding nanowells. The electroactive nanomembrane is capable of controllably altering a dimension, a composition, and/or a variety of properties in response to electrical stimuli. Various embodiments also include devices/systems and methods for using the nanomembrane-containing devices for molecular separation, purification, sensing, etc.

1 . A method comprising: providing a nanochannel within a support material wherein the nanochannei comprises one or more sidewall electrodes; disposing a nanomembrane inside the nanochannel, wherein the nanomembrane is configured to encircle a nanopore, has a hydrophobic surface, and is in direct contact with at least a portion of one sidewall electrode of the nanochannel; tuning a size of the nanopore by tuning dimensionality of the nanomembrane with an electrical stimulus on the nanomembrane: tethering a hydrophobic material on the hydrophobic surface, the hydrophobic material spanning the nanonore; disposing a protein nanopore into the hydrophobic material, wherein the size of the nanopore is tuned such that the hydrophobic material spanning the nanopore is configured to prevent more than one protein nanopore. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising stabilizing the hvdrophobic material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protein nanopore comprises an α-hemoivsin or a  mycobacterium smegmatis  porin A. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disrupting the hydrophobic material by attracting, repulsing, or electrophoresing charged molecules to or from a lipid bilayer, by an electromotive force on the hydrophobic material or by a temperature change. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the nanomembrane is by the method selected from a group consisting of spraying, vapor-phase deposition, sputtering, spin coating, precipitation, in situ polymerization, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a mechanical, a chemical or electrical property of the nanomembrane is uniform. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanochannel further comprises one or more bottom electrodes exposed to the nanochannel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanomembrane comprises two layers of distinct properties. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical stimulus comprises an electrical current, a voltage, or an electrical waveform. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the nanomembrane is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a DNA or RNA molecule is threaded through the protein nanopore. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the DNA or RNA molecule is threaded through the protein nanopore via direct or indirect electrophoretic forces. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the DNA or RNA molecule is threaded through the protein nanopore via direct or indirect mechanical forces, including flow of a liquid or active protein-induced threading of the DNA or RNA molecule. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein signals are taken via the bottom or side wall electrodes in order to sequence a DNA or RNA molecule as the DNA or RNA molecule is being threaded through the protein nanopore. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the signals are taken via the bottom or side wall electrodes in order to identify modified DNA or RNA bases on the DNA or RNA molecule as the DNA or RNA molecule is being threaded through the protein nanopore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic material comprises, or is in part, a gel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gel comprises a responsive gel.