Now one can easily detect specific sequences of DNA as Purdue researchers have found out that nanopore channels can emerge as an instrument for genomic applications in environmental monitoring, medicine and homeland security. Created using silicon, these channels are ten to twenty diameter in size and a few hundred nanometers long. This is for the first time that researchers have attached specific strands of DNA inside silicon based channels and used it for detection of specific DNA molecules found in liquid bath.
Fabrication of channels was done in thin silicon membrane and bathed in fluids having DNA. Since DNA is charged negatively therefore application of voltage across membrane caused the genetic material in bath to flow through the channel. As a result the single strands of DNA flowed faster and were transported in high numbers across the pores.
Detection of translocation of specific types of DNA strands can be measured with electrical current across the channel and as a result specific signature pulses can be measured due to specific DNA movement. This will certainly help scientists involved in the study of DNA.
Via nanotechwire
