Electrochemical Characterization of Regularly-aligned Nanopore Array Membranes Filled with Electrolyte Solutions and their use for Detection of Nucleic Acid Hybridization

We report on the electrochemical characterization of regularly-aligned cylindrical nanopore arrays supported in silicon nitride membranes and preliminary results for the detection of nucleic acid hybridization on the nanopore walls. A range of nanopore arrays with diameters between 40 and 150 nm were examined. We tested the effect of pore diameter, number of pores, electrolyte concentration and surface chemistry on the conductance of the nanopore membranes. The pores were functionalized with single-stranded DNA and conductance measurements were performed before and after hybridization. In many cases, changes in current rectification were observed following hybridization, which is discussed as a strategy for nucleic acid hybridization and interactions