Abstract: Biomolecular sensors and methods of manufacturing these sensors are provided. An exemplary sensor has a source electrode, a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode by a sensor gap, a gate electrode, wherein the source, drain and gate electrodes cooperate to form an electrode circuit, a bridge bridging across said sensor gap coupling the source and drain electrodes, and a probe coupled to the bridge, wherein the probe comprises nucleic acid and interaction of the nucleic acid probe with a target nucleic acid is detectable by monitoring at least one parameter of the electrode circuit. Methods of detecting a target nucleic acid are also provided. Preferred target nucleic acids that are detected are from pathogens, such as coronavirus.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a synthetic peptide finding use as a molecular wire in a molecular electronic circuit comprises an alpha helical segment further comprising repeating alpha-helical motifs. The synthetic peptide may further comprise at least one specific conjugation site between the termini for attachment to a molecule such as a binding probe, and may further comprise termini having metal binding functionality such as repeats of material binding sequences. In various aspects, the synthetic peptide comprises intramolecular hydrogen bonding, salt bridges, and optionally, aromatic rings that provide for electrical conductivity through the peptide.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus and systems for single-molecule biosensors having nanowire or nanoribbon bridges between electrodes for sequencing and information storage and reading. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides nanofabrication of biomolecular sensing devices beginning with parallel arrangements of transferable nanowires or nanoribbons, and provides in general methods of manufacturing biosensor devices for sequencing DNA or RNA and analyzing biomolecules.

Abstract: A processive enzyme molecular sensor for use in a DNA data storage system is disclosed that can extract digital information suitably encoded into a synthetic DNA molecule. In various aspects, such sensors are provided in a high-density chip-based format that can provide the high throughput, low-cost and fast data extraction capability required for large scale DNA data storage systems. The sensor for reading the digital data stored in DNA molecules processes individual encoded DNA molecules directly, eliminating the need for complicated sample preparation such as making copies of DNA or clonal populations of such molecules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: A method for identifying and quantifying organic or biochemical substances in a fluid medium using a nanogap sensor is disclosed. A nanogap sensor with two electrodes of different materials is used, a respective probe molecule is bonded to each electrode and the free remainder of the probe molecules have at least one bondable group with specificity to a substance or analyte. The analyte has at least two binding sites and passes selectively out of the fluid medium, binds to the free ends of the probe molecules to form a bridge, modifying the impedance between the electrodes.

Abstract: Described herein is a portable virometer for detecting viral targets. An exemplary virometer has a molecular electronics sensor with a first electrode, a second electrode spaced-apart from the first electrode by a nanogap, a bridge molecule having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first electrode and the second end coupled to the second electrode, a hybridization probe having an oligonucleotide sequence from or related to a viral target is conjugated to the bridge molecule, a sample applicator for acquiring a sample and transferring it to the chip, and data processing software and hardware for providing a report of detection of viral targets. Methods of using the virometer for testing in the home, in schools, in workplaces, in hotels, in restaurants, or in public places are also described.

Abstract: A structure usable in a molecular sensor device comprises a substrate defining a substrate plane and spaced apart pairs of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets attached to the substrate at an angle to the substrate plane. The structure further includes intervening dielectric sheets. Fabrication methods for manufacturing structures for molecular sensors are disclosed comprising oblique angle deposition of reducible metal oxide or metal nitride and dielectric layers, planarization of the resulting stack, and reduction of portions of the reducible metal oxide or metal nitride sheets to the corresponding base metal.

Abstract: A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device useable in DNA or genome sequencing comprises disposing pairs of electrodes on a substrate, the electrodes within each pair separated by a nanogap; depositing a resist layer over the electrodes; patterning the resist layer to create an exposed region on each electrode at or near each nanogap; roughening the electrode surface within each exposed region using various methods; and exposing the exposed regions to biomolecules, wherein one biomolecule bridges each nanogap of each electrode pair, with each end of each biomolecule bound to the electrodes at each exposed region.

Abstract: A molecular electronics sensor capable of performing genetic analysis is described. In various embodiments, the sensor comprises spaced-apart electrodes, a bridge molecule coupled to the electrodes, and an oligonucleotide hybridization probe conjugated to the bridge molecule. The hybridization probe may comprise an oligonucleotide sequence complementary to a segment of a pathogen genome to be detected. In various aspects, a plurality of such sensors are disposed as an array of pixels on a CMOS chip. Sensors herein can be configured to detect a segment of SARS-CoV-2 genome in a bio-sample.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to nanotechnology and to nano-electronics and molecular electronic sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, a nano-sensor having a nanoparticle complex attached at each end to a respective nano-electrode. An exemplary nanoparticle complex includes a biomolecule coupled at each end to a metallic nanoparticle to form a dumbbell-shaped molecular bridge.

Abstract: A molecular electronics sensor capable of performing genetic analysis is described. In various embodiments, the sensor comprises spaced-apart electrodes, a bridge molecule coupled to the electrodes, and an oligonucleotide hybridization probe conjugated to the bridge molecule. The hybridization probe may comprise an oligonucleotide sequence complementary to a segment of a pathogen genome to be detected. In various aspects, a plurality of such sensors are disposed as an array of pixels on a CMOS chip. Sensors herein can be configured to detect a segment of SARS-CoV-2 genome in a bio-sample.

Abstract: A processive enzyme molecular sensor for use in a DNA data storage system is disclosed that can extract digital information suitably encoded into a synthetic DNA molecule. In various aspects, such sensors are provided in a high-density chip-based format that can provide the high throughput, low-cost and fast data extraction capability required for large scale DNA data storage systems. The sensor for reading the digital data stored in DNA molecules processes individual encoded DNA molecules directly, eliminating the need for complicated sample preparation such as making copies of DNA or clonal populations of such molecules.

Abstract: New methods in nanolithography provide nanoscale structures usable in molecular electronic sensors, such as for nucleotide sequencing. In various embodiments, tunable nanopillars are grown in holes nanopatterned in a resist layer over pairs of electrodes, with the resulting nanopillars acting as vertical extensions of the electrodes buried underneath the resist layer. Exposed top surfaces of the nanopillars are limited in size, thus providing controlled binding of a single or at most just a few bridge molecules between nanopillars in a pair of nanopillars.

Abstract: In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and an enzyme molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the enzyme. In various examples, the enzyme is a polymerase. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the enzyme to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor, wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as substrates interact with the enzyme.

Abstract: In various embodiments, amplification-free DNA information methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed. A method of amplification-free information storage and retrieval comprises encoding digital data such as binary into nucleotide sequence motifs using an encoding scheme, and synthesizing replicate DNA molecules using an amplification-free DNA writing process. The amplification-free process of decoding the information stored in the DNA comprises exposing at least one of the replicate DNA molecules to a molecular electronics sensor that generates distinguishable signals in a measured electrical parameter of the sensor, wherein the distinguishable signals correspond to the sequence motifs, providing decoding back to the digital data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to nanotechnology and to nano-electronics and molecular electronic sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, a nano-sensor having a nanoparticle complex attached at each end to a respective nano-electrode. An exemplary nanoparticle complex includes a biomolecule coupled at each end to a metallic nanoparticle to form a dumbbell-shaped molecular bridge.

Abstract: In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and an enzyme molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the enzyme. In various examples, the enzyme is a polymerase. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the enzyme to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor, wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as substrates interact with the enzyme.

Abstract: In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and a binding probe molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the binding probe. In various examples, the binding probe is an antibody, the Fab domain of an antibody, a protein, a nucleic acid oligomer hybridization probe, or an aptamer. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the binding probe to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as targets interact with the binding probe. In various embodiments, the circuit provides a means to measure the presence, absence, or concentration of an analyte in a solution.