A method of modeling a background signal when sequencing a polynucleotide strand using sequencing-by-synthesis includes: flowing a series of nucleotide flows onto a reactor array having multiple reaction confinement regions, one or more copies of the polynucleotide strand being located in a loaded reaction confinement region of the reactor array, the loaded reaction confinement region being located in a vicinity of one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions that may or may not be loaded; receiving output signals from the reactor array; and modeling a background signal for the loaded reaction confinement region using the received output signals and a model adapted to account at least for an exchange of ions between the one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions and a headspace adjacent the loaded reaction confinement region and the one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions.

A method of modeling a background signal when sequencing a polynucleotide strand using sequencing-by-synthesis includes: flowing a series of nucleotide flows onto a reactor array having multiple reaction confinement regions, one or more copies of the polynucleotide strand being located in a loaded reaction confinement region of the reactor array, the loaded reaction confinement region being located in a vicinity of one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions that may or may not be loaded; receiving output signals from the reactor array; and modeling a background signal for the loaded reaction confinement region using the received output signals and a model adapted to account at least for an exchange of ions between the one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions and a headspace adjacent the loaded reaction confinement region and the one or more neighboring reaction confinement regions.

The present application is generally directed to systems, methods, and devices for diagnostics for sensing and/or identifying pathogens, genomic materials, proteins, and/or other small molecules or biomarkers. In some implementations, a small footprint low cost device provides rapid and robust sensing and identification. Such a device may utilize microfluidics, biochemistry, and electronics to detect one or more targets at once in the field and closer to or at the point of care.

The present application is generally directed to systems, methods, and devices for diagnostics for sensing and/or identifying pathogens, genomic materials, proteins, and/or other small molecules or biomarkers. In some implementations, a small footprint low cost device provides rapid and robust sensing and identification. Such a device may utilize microfluidics, biochemistry, and electronics to detect one or more targets at once in the field and closer to or at the point of care.

Nucleic acid molecule analysis systems are described. The system may include a nucleic acid molecule attached to a particle with a characteristic dimension. The system may also include an aperture defined by a first electrode, a first insulator, and a second electrode. The aperture may have a characteristic dimension less than the characteristic dimension of the particle. The system may further include a first power supply in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. In addition, the system may include a second power supply configured to apply an electric field through the aperture. In some embodiments, the aperture may be defined by a first insulator. A portion of the first electrode may extend into the aperture. A portion of the second electrode may extend into the aperture.

Nucleic acid molecule analysis systems are described. The system may include a nucleic acid molecule attached to a particle with a characteristic dimension. The system may also include an aperture defined by a first electrode, a first insulator, and a second electrode. The aperture may have a characteristic dimension less than the characteristic dimension of the particle. The system may further include a first power supply in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. In addition, the system may include a second power supply configured to apply an electric field through the aperture. In some embodiments, the aperture may be defined by a first insulator. A portion of the first electrode may extend into the aperture. A portion of the second electrode may extend into the aperture.

Disclosed herein are mechanically-strained oligonucleotide constructs comprising two oligonucleotides that when hybridized results in a bent double-stranded oligonucleotide. The constructs may be used to probe oligonucleotide interactions with an analyte to detect interactions with metal ions or compounds.

A sequencing device is disclosed. The sequence device includes an array of conducting electrode pairs, each pair of electrodes comprising a source and a drain electrode arrangement separated by a nanogap, the electrode array deposited and patterned on a dielectric substrate; at least one transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layer disposed on each pair of electrodes, wherein the TMD layer connects each source and drain electrode within each pair, and bridges each nanogap of each pair of electrodes; and a dielectric masking layer disposed on the TMD layer and comprising at least one opening that defines an exposed TMD region, wherein the at least one opening is sized so as to allow a single biomolecule to fit therein and to attach on to the exposed TMD region. In embodiments of the disclosure, the TMD layer be a defective TMD layer.

A sequencing device is disclosed. The sequence device includes an array of conducting electrode pairs, each pair of electrodes comprising a source and a drain electrode arrangement separated by a nanogap, the electrode array deposited and patterned on a dielectric substrate; at least one transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layer disposed on each pair of electrodes, wherein the TMD layer connects each source and drain electrode within each pair, and bridges each nanogap of each pair of electrodes; and a dielectric masking layer disposed on the TMD layer and comprising at least one opening that defines an exposed TMD region, wherein the at least one opening is sized so as to allow a single biomolecule to fit therein and to attach on to the exposed TMD region. In embodiments of the disclosure, the TMD layer be a defective TMD layer.

The present invention provides methods to engineer enzymes for their integration into a molecular nanowire as a fum-tional component for biopolymer sequencing/identification. The enzymes include but are not limited to DNA polymerase, RNA poly-merase, DNA helicase, DNA ligase, DNA exonuclease, reverse transcriptase, RNA primase, ribosome, sucrase, or lactase, which are either natural, mutated, or synthesized.