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

智力优势：这是一项潜在变革技术的探索性研究：使用石墨烯纳米间隙读取单个DNA分子的碱基序列。由于石墨烯是单原子厚度，因此可以很容易地获得电导的单基分辨率。理论建模表明，在1.6 nm的纳米间隙宽度范围内，预期的测序错误率为0%。所提出的工作将证明测序技术在技术上是可行的。它侧重于石墨烯纳米间隙的制造，优化石墨烯在水中的应用，以及通过石墨烯纳米间隙进行DNA转移的演示。该研究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。对大量重复序列丰富的DNA片段（例如，在免疫系统中起主要作用的主要组织相容性复合体（MHC））进行测序的预期能力，将为人类基因组的研究打开新的窗口。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，这种方法可以在单分子水平上工作，并且可以绕过典型的样品扩增步骤。在指导女性和未被充分代表的西班牙裔、非裔美国人和亚裔/太平洋岛民的学生方面，PI已经建立了重要的记录。他的团队的研究生已经转到小学和社区大学任教，并攻读博士学位。他的城市大学校园中高度多样化的学生群体确保了该项目将继续为国家科学基金会扩大参与的优先事项服务。在与社区的接触中，他制定了一个精心构思的计划，帮助圣费尔南多谷当地的中学实施加州州立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.