Development of single-molecule tunnel-current based nucleotide identification method

We developed a tunnel-current based identification method of DNA / RNA sequence. This methodology is based on tunneling-current time-traces during its translocation of molecules through a nano-gap-electrode. We performed electrical measurements of DNA / RNA nucleotide translocating between gold nanogap-electrode separated by a sub-nanometer gap. Based on this determined electrical conductivity for single-nucleotides, we electrically identify the base-type in oligonucleotides, This method could be a promising small RNA profiling strategy.