Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting a change in the conformational or energetic state of a molecular species, comprising the steps of: (i) immobilizing the molecular species, under conditions suitable for the reaction to occur; (ii) contacting at least part of the molecular species with a localized electromagnetic field; and (iii) detecting a change in dielectric constant during or after the reaction, to thereby detect a change in the conformational or energetic state of the molecular species.

Abstract: The sequence of a target polynucleotide can be determined by: (i) contacting the target polynucleotide with a polymerase enzyme and one of the nucleotides A, T(U), G, and C under conditions suitable for the polymerase reaction to proceed; (ii) measuring the time taken for the polymerase to bind to and subsequently dissociate from the target polynucleotide, to thereby determine whether the polymerase has incorporated the nucleotide onto the target polynucleotide; (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii) with additional nucleotides, to thereby identify the sequence of the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide, the method comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a target polynucleotide with a polymerase enzyme immobilised on a solid support, and the different nucleotides, under conditions sufficient for the polymerase reaction; and (ii) detecting the incorporation of a specific nucleotide complementary to the target polynucleotide, by measuring radiation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for determining the sequence of a polynucleotide, the method relying on the detection of a conformational change in an enzyme that interacts with and processes along the polynucleotide. The detection of a conformational change may be carried out by measuring changes in a fluorophore bound to the enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for polynucleotide synthesis, comprising the steps of: (i) reacting a polynucleotide processive enzyme, e.g., a polymerase or TdT, with a nucleotide substrate under conditions suitable for enzyme activity; and (ii) modulating the conformation of the enzyme, e.g. using radiation, to allow incorporation of a predetermined nucleotide.