Multichannel simultaneous measurements of single-molecule translocation in alpha-hemolysin nanopore array.

We present a microarray system that enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple ionic currents through transmembrane alpha-hemolysin nanopores arrayed at bilayer lipid membranes. We applied the self-assembling ability of lipid molecules interfaced between an aqueous solution and organic solvent to induce bilayer membrane formation at a microfluidic device; the device consists of a hydrophobic polymer film that serves to suspend the lipid-containing solvent at micrometer-sized apertures as well as to separate the aqueous solution into two chambers. In this study, we confirmed that expeditious and reproducible bilayer formation is realized by control of the composition of the solvent, a mixture of n-decane and 1-hexanol, which permits simultaneous incorporation of the alpha-hemolysin nanopores to the membrane array. Monitoring the eight wells on the array at once, we obtained a maximum of four relevant, synchronous signals of translocating ionic current through the nanopores. The system was also able to detect translocation events of nucleic acid molecules through the pore via the profile of a blocked current, promising its potential for high-throughput applications.