Rapid Finite State Machine Control of Individual DNA Molecules in a Nanopore

This paper demonstrates feedback voltage control of individual DNA hairpin molecules captured in a nanopore. A finite state machine is used to program voltage control logic, executed on a field-programmable gate array, for rapid detection and regulation of hundreds of DNA hairpins, one at a time. Prompt voltage reduction is used for extension of the dwell time of DNA hairpins in the nanopore. Then, voltage reversal after a preset dwell time is used for automated expulsion of molecules prior to hairpin unzipping. The demonstrated control authority of single molecular complexes captured in the nanopore device is an integral part of our ongoing research for direct monitoring and control of enzyme-bound biopolymers.