Abstract: The invention is directed to nanopore arrays comprising opaque layers that reduce background fluorescence in optical signal collected in applications of such arrays for analyzing molecules. In some embodiments, such arrays are used to determine characteristics of polymers, such as polynucleotides, in methods comprising the steps of translocating polymers through nanopores of such arrays wherein polymers have one or more optical labels, exciting optical labels of the polymers in a signal generation region of each nanopore extending from the opaque layer toward the direction of the excitation beam, detecting optical signals from the signal generation regions of each nanopore to determine characteristics of the polymer translocating therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is directed to nanopore arrays comprising opaque layers that reduce background fluorescence in optical signal collected in applications of such arrays for analyzing molecules. In some embodiments, such arrays are used to determine characteristics of polymers, such as polynucleotides, in methods comprising the steps of translocating polymers through nanopores of such arrays wherein polymers have one or more optical labels, exciting optical labels of the polymers in a signal generation region of each nanopore extending from the opaque layer toward the direction of the excitation beam, detecting optical signals from the signal generation regions of each nanopore to determine characteristics of the polymer translocating therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is directed to nanopore arrays comprising opaque layers that reduce background fluorescence in optical signal collected in applications of such arrays for analyzing molecules. In some embodiments, such arrays are used to determine characteristics of polymers, such as polynucleotides, in methods comprising the steps of translocating polymers through nanopores of such arrays wherein polymers have one or more optical labels, exciting optical labels of the polymers in a signal generation region of each nanopore extending from the opaque layer toward the direction of the excitation beam, detecting optical signals from the signal generation regions of each nanopore to determine characteristics of the polymer translocating therethrough.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods for optically based nanopore analysis which employ FRET signaling wherein at least one member of a FRET pair is mobile within a lipid bilayer containing one or more nanopores. In some embodiments, mobile FRET donors are constrained to a lipid bilayer so that they may continuously diffuse into and within a FRET distance of acceptor-labeled analytes entering or exiting a nanopore so that bleached or degraded FRET donors are continuously replaced.