Recognizing nucleotides by cross-tunneling currents for DNA sequencing

Abstract

Using first-principles calculations, we study electron transport through nucleotides inside a rectangular nanogap formed by two pairs of gold electrodes which are perpendicular and parallel to the nucleobase plane. We propose that this setup will enhance the nucleotide selectivity of tunneling signals to a great extent. Information from three electrical probing processes offers full nucleotide recognition, which survives the noise from neighboring nucleotides and configuration fluctuations.