[Frontiers in Bioscience S4, 1461-1474, June 1, 2012]

Single molecular level analysis and processing in nanochannels

Takatoki Yamamoto1

1Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Platform for observing single biomolecules
4. Methods for fabricating nanochannels
4.1. Etching-based fabrication techniques
4.2. Sacrificial-layer fabrication techniques
4.3. Nanoimprint lithography
5. Analysis and manipulation of single biomolecules
5.1. Polymer dynamics of DNA in nanochannels
5.2. Electrical single-molecule analysis
6. Conclusions
7. Acknowledgment
8. References

1. ABSTRACT

Recent advances in nanofluidic technologies have enabled devices to be fabricated that integrate nanochannels with at least one dimension smaller than several hundred nanometers. Since this dimension is close to the sizes of biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules, it opens up new scientific and technological fields based on analysis and manipulation of single molecules. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding single molecular level analysis and processing in nanochannels, particularly experimental findings in this area. While there have been many theoretical and molecular simulation studies, this paper surveys experimental studies. Following a brief survey of techniques for fabricating nanochannels, we review fundamental studies of single molecule behavior and manipulation in nanochannels. We then discuss important transport phenomena of single molecules in nanochannels. Finally, the emerging challenge of electrical single-molecule detection and its possible applications are highlighted.