Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using nanopores to obtain sequence information of sample DNAs in ss test DNAs. The method comprises using speed bumps to stall the ss test DNAs in the nanopores at random positions of the ss test DNAs to obtain sequence information of each and every nucleotides of the sample DNAs, and to construct the whole sequences of the sample DNAs. The present invention also relates to identification and/or isolation of test DNAs having desired sequence(s) using nanopore detectors facilitated by speed bump.

Abstract: A system for regulating a temperature of a measurement array is disclosed. The system includes a measurement array including a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are integrated onto an integrated circuit die. The system includes a thermal sensor integrated onto the integrated circuit die, wherein the thermal sensor senses a temperature associated with the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a heat pump coupled to the integrated circuit die, wherein the heat pump is controlled by a feedback control circuit including the thermal sensor.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a molecule in a nanopore is disclosed. A voltage is applied across a nanopore that is inserted in a membrane by coupling the nanopore to a voltage source. The nanopore is decoupled from the voltage source. After the decoupling, a rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore is determined. A molecule in the nanopore is distinguished from other possible molecules based on the determined rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore.

Abstract: A method of identifying a molecule is disclosed. A molecule is drawn to a nanopore by applying a first voltage signal to a pair of electrodes during a first period, wherein the first voltage signal causes a first ionic current through the nanopore that is indicative of a property of a portion of the molecule proximate to the nanopore. The molecule is released from the nanopore by applying a second voltage signal to the pair of electrodes during a second period, wherein the second voltage signal causes a second ionic current through the nanopore. The first period and the second period are determined based at least in part on a net ionic current through the nanopore comprising the first ionic current and the second ionic current.

Abstract: Techniques for characterizing a molecule are described herein. In one example, a portion of the molecule is trapped in a nanopore, a variable voltage is applied across the nanopore until the trapped portion of molecule is moved within the nanopore, and the molecule is characterized based on the electrical stimulus required to affect movement of at least a portion of the trapped portion of the molecule within the nanopore.

Abstract: A device having an integrated noise shield is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of vertical shielding structures substantially surrounding a semiconductor device. The device further includes an opening above the semiconductor device substantially filled with a conductive fluid, wherein the plurality of vertical shielding structures and the conductive fluid shield the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the device further includes a conductive bottom shield below the semiconductor device shielding the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the opening is configured to allow a biological sample to be introduced into the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the vertical shielding structures comprise a plurality of vias, wherein each of the plurality of vias connects more than one conductive layers together.

Abstract: A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A nanopore sequencing device is disclosed. The nanopore sequencing device includes a working electrode. It further includes a dielectric layer, wherein a portion of the dielectric layer is disposed horizontally adjacent to the working electrode and a portion of the dielectric layer is disposed above and covering a portion of the working electrode, and wherein the dielectric layer forms a well having an opening above an uncovered portion of the working electrode. A base surface area of the working electrode is greater than a base surface area of the opening above the uncovered portion of the working electrode.

Abstract: A system for regulating a temperature of a measurement array is disclosed. The system includes a measurement array including a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are integrated onto an integrated circuit die. The system includes a thermal sensor integrated onto the integrated circuit die, wherein the thermal sensor senses a temperature associated with the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a heat pump coupled to the integrated circuit die, wherein the heat pump is controlled by a feedback control circuit including the thermal sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for characterizing a molecule are described herein. In one example, a portion of the molecule is trapped in a nanopore, a variable voltage is applied across the nanopore until the trapped portion of molecule is moved within the nanopore, and the molecule is characterized based on the electrical stimulus required to affect movement of at least a portion of the trapped portion of the molecule within the nanopore.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a molecule is disclosed. A voltage source is selectively connected to or disconnected from a capacitor using a switch controlled by a reset signal. A charge is stored in a capacitor when the voltage source is connected to the capacitor. The capacitor is discharged through a nanopore in a membrane when the voltage source is disconnected from the capacitor. A duty cycle of the reset signal is determined such that the voltage source and the capacitor is connected for at least a one tenth portion of a reset signal period and disconnected for a remaining portion of the reset signal period, such that a voltage across the nanopore is maintained at a higher level during the portion of the reset signal period in which the connection is maintained than during the remaining portion of the reset signal period in which the connection is not maintained.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a molecule in a nanopore is disclosed. A voltage is applied across a nanopore that is inserted in a membrane by coupling the nanopore to a voltage source. The nanopore is decoupled from the voltage source. After the decoupling, a rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore is determined. A molecule in the nanopore is distinguished from other possible molecules based on the determined rate of decay of the voltage across the nanopore.

Abstract: A method of exporting measurements of a nanopore sensor on a nanopore based sequencing chip is disclosed. An electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is measured. The electrical characteristic associated with the nanopore sensor is processed. A summary for the electrical characteristic and one or more previous electrical characteristics is determined. The summary for the electrical characteristic and the one or more previous electrical characteristics are exported. Determining the summary includes determining that the electrical characteristic and at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics correspond to a base call event at the nanopore sensor. The summary represents the electrical characteristic and the at least a portion of the one or more previous electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A device having an integrated noise shield is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of vertical shielding structures substantially surrounding a semiconductor device. The device further includes an opening above the semiconductor device substantially filled with a conductive fluid, wherein the plurality of vertical shielding structures and the conductive fluid shield the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the device further includes a conductive bottom shield below the semiconductor device shielding the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the opening is configured to allow a biological sample to be introduced into the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the vertical shielding structures comprise a plurality of vias, wherein each of the plurality of vias connects more than one conductive layers together.

Abstract: A system for regulating a temperature of a measurement array is disclosed. The system includes a measurement array including a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are integrated onto an integrated circuit die. The system includes a thermal sensor integrated onto the integrated circuit die, wherein the thermal sensor senses a temperature associated with the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a heat pump coupled to the integrated circuit die, wherein the heat pump is controlled by a feedback control circuit including the thermal sensor.

Abstract: A device having an integrated noise shield is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of vertical shielding structures substantially surrounding a semiconductor device. The device further includes an opening above the semiconductor device substantially filled with a conductive fluid, wherein the plurality of vertical shielding structures and the conductive fluid shield the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the device further includes a conductive bottom shield below the semiconductor device shielding the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the opening is configured to allow a biological sample to be introduced into the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the vertical shielding structures comprise a plurality of vias, wherein each of the plurality of vias connects more than one conductive layers together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using nanopore to obtain sequence information of an unknown structure (unknown DNA) in a ss test DNA. The method comprises using speed bump to stall the ss test DNA in the nanopore at random positions of the ss test DNA to obtain sequence information of each and every nucleotides of the unknown DNA, and to construct the whole sequence of the unknown DNA. The present invention also relates to a novel method of trapping a ss test DNA in a nanopore using two bulky structures formed under different conditions (e.g. different temperature), and the bulky structures are able to keep the ss test DNA trapped in a nanopore at a working temperature.

Abstract: A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A device having an integrated noise shield is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of vertical shielding structures substantially surrounding a semiconductor device. The device further includes an opening above the semiconductor device substantially filled with a conductive fluid, wherein the plurality of vertical shielding structures and the conductive fluid shield the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the device further includes a conductive bottom shield below the semiconductor device shielding the semiconductor device from ambient radiation. In some embodiments, the opening is configured to allow a biological sample to be introduced into the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the vertical shielding structures comprise a plurality of vias, wherein each of the plurality of vias connects more than one conductive layers together.