Enhanced CMOS amplifier nanopore sensor for ion channel analysis

Unmet Need: Enhanced, high throughput sensing for ion channel kinetics analysis

The traditional methods for ion channel kinetics analysis involve intact-cell patch-clamp or model lipid bilayer techniques. These existing methods, limited by lower resolution and slower throughput, present challenges that include low bandwidth and high electrical noise, restricting the detailed and efficient study of ion channels, which is critical for drug discovery and diagnostics.

The Technology: CMOS amplifier nanopore sensor with high-resolution, multichannel sensing

The technology is built on a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) amplifier integrated with nanopores, offering multichannel parallel sensing of single molecules, and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and bandwidth. Its design, with lower parasitic capacitance, allows for the detection of transient signals as brief as 1 μs, and is robust and adaptable to various biochemical interactions, such as lipid bilayers or intact cells.

Applications:

Advanced research tool for membrane ion channel studies
High-throughput DNA sequencing platform
Drug discovery, aiding in more efficient and rapid screening processes
Medical diagnostics, particularly in assessing ion channel-specific diseases
Implementation in long-term electronic implants

Advantages:

High-resolution, multichannel, and parallel sensing of single molecules
Enhanced bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio for improved measurement accuracy
Allows for diverse applications in biological and biochemical sensing from lipid bilayers to intact cells
Promotes a more comprehensive understanding of ion channels

Lead Inventor:

Kenneth Shepard, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US10,627,364)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

IR CU12278, M11-069
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel