Sequencing in nanofabricated arrays: A feasibility study

The feasibility of using nanofabricated arrays as electrophoretic chambers for DNA sequencing is investigated. A specific array design, consisting of rows of closely spaced posts, separated by longer open spaces, is proposed. Molecules driven through the array by an electric field get hooked over obstacles at successive rows and their progress through the device is delayed as a consequence. The dependence of the delay time on molecular size is derived. Numerical evaluation indicates that a device of modest dimensions, operating at high fields, can rapidly resolve oligonucleotides containing several hundred bases.