EAGER: Towards Rapid Sequencing of Individual DNA Molecules in Graphene Nanogaps

知识专长：这是一项潜在变革性技术的探索性研究：使用石墨烯纳米间隙读取单个DNA分子的碱基序列。 因为石墨烯是单原子厚的，所以提出可以容易地获得电导的单碱基分辨率。理论建模表明，预期的测序错误率为0%，直到1.6 nm的纳米间隙宽度。 拟议的工作将证明测序技术在技术上是可行的。 它专注于石墨烯纳米间隙的制造，优化石墨烯在水中的应用，以及DNA通过石墨烯纳米间隙移位的演示。 该项目的成功完成将为基于石墨烯纳米间隙的DNA测序开辟一个新的研究领域。 对DNA材料的大的富含重复序列的部分进行测序的预期能力（例如，主要组织相容性复合物（MHC），在免疫系统中起着重要作用），将为人类基因组研究打开新的窗口。更广泛的影响：科学上更广泛的影响涉及到开发一种DNA测序方法的可能性，这种方法在单分子水平上工作，并绕过典型的样品扩增步骤。 PI已经建立了指导西班牙裔，非裔美国人和亚洲/太平洋岛民遗产的女性和代表性不足的学生的显着记录。 他所在小组的研究生已经进入了小学和社区大学的教学岗位，并获得了博士学位。程序.他的城市大学校园的高度多样化的学生群体确保了该项目将继续服务于扩大参与的NSF优先事项。 在与社区的联系中，他制定了一个精心设计的计划，帮助当地的圣费尔南多谷中学实施加州州科学标准规定的入门物理标准。

INTELLECTUAL MERIT: This is an exploratory study of a potentially transformative technology: to read the base sequence of a single DNA molecule using a graphene nanogap. Because graphene is a single atom thick, it is proposed that single- base resolution of the conductance can be readily obtained. Theoretical modeling shows that the expected sequencing error rate is 0% up to a nanogap width of 1.6 nm. The proposed work will demonstrate that the sequencing technology is technically feasible. It focuses on graphene nanogap fabrication, optimizing the graphene for applications in water, and demonstration of DNA translocating through the graphene nanogap. Successful completion will open a new research field in graphene-nanogap-based DNA sequencing. The expected ability to sequence large repeat-rich sections of DNA material (e.g., the Major Histo-compatibility Complex (MHC)), which plays a major role in the immune system), will open up new windows on the study of the human genome.BROADER IMPACTS: Scientific broader impacts relate to the possibility of developing a DNA sequencing methodology that works at the single molecule level and gets around the typical sample amplification steps. The PI has established a significant record of mentoring females and underrepresented students of Hispanic, African American, and Asian/Pacific Islander heritage. Graduate students from his group have moved on to elementary and community college teaching positions and to Ph.D. programs. The highly diverse student population of his urban university campus ensures that the project will continue to serve the NSF priority of broadening participation. In outreach to the community, he has established a well-conceived plan for assisting local San Fernando Valley middle schools to implement the introductory physics standards prescribed by the California State Science Standards.