# Multilayer Device for Sequencing DNA Through a Solid-State Nanopore

> **NIH NIH R43** · GOEPPERT, LLC · 2022 · $141,406

## Abstract

Project Summary
To improve DNA sequencing capabilities with respect to accuracy, robustness and speed and to
develop practical methods of RNA sequencing, this NIH R43 Phase I project focuses on using
multilayer-design solid-state pore sensors on low-noise glass chips, towards DNA sequencing
and direct RNA sequencing. The basic concept behind nanopores involves using an applied
voltage to drive single-stranded DNA molecules through a narrow nanopore, which separates
chambers of electrolyte solution. This voltage also drives a flow of electrolyte ions through the
pore, measured as an electric current. When molecules pass through the nanopore they modify
the flow of ions, and structural information can be extracted by analysis of the duration and
magnitude of the resulting current reductions. Nanopore in atomically-thin 2D membranes
improve the signal-to-noise ratio for molecular detection and analysis because the resistance to
the ionic flow through a pore increases linearly with the pore thickness, so both the magnitudes
of the ionic current and the blocked current with a translocating molecule increase with decreasing
nanopore height. Specifically, we seek to make solid-state ionic-current based nanopore
sequencing possible by combining several components to make a modular multilayer on-chip
solid-state ultrathin-pore system that limits the range of motion for DNA in the sensing region of
a pore. We do so by creating devices containing a second layer of silicon nitride holes, parallel to
primary layer containing the sensing 2D pore that orient DNA within a device to a restricted
geometry, yet allow the free motion of ions to maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio. We propose a
specific multilayer concept with two independent electrical connections, and corresponding chip
device architecture to achieve this goal. In this method, there is a central, highly sensitive 2D
pore. A secondary layer is a nanopore array (NPA) sharing the same electrode pair as the
sensing 2D pore. These pores are constructed parallel to the “sensing” pore and serve as
“feeding” elements to stretch and feed DNA into the sensing pore. We outline the practical
implementation of this concept with Si-based technology, including advantages for DNA (and
biomolecule) sequencing (analysis) in solution. Our approach eliminates the need for any
enzymes and enables DNA molecules to be guided through robust and long-lasting nanopores,
facilitated by the custom-designed “array chip”, and at potentially record high sequencing speeds.
Illustration 1: Proposed multilayer device
concept for this NIH R43 Phase I proposal,
relying on minimization of DNA entropic
motion: a guiding array and an optimized 2D
pore.
1

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10483455
- **Project number:** 1R43HG012298-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** GOEPPERT, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** David John Niedzwiecki
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $141,406
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-23 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10483455

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10483455, Multilayer Device for Sequencing DNA Through a Solid-State Nanopore (1R43HG012298-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10483455. Licensed CC0.

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