Patent ID: 7846738

Claim:
A method for determining the conformation of a polymer selected from the group consisting of a double stranded nucleic acid, a protein, a synthetic polymer, and a polysaccharide, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an apparatus comprising: (i) a membrane having a nanopore sized to allow passage of said polymer in said conformation; (ii) first and second fluid reservoirs separated by said membrane and fluidically connected via said nanopore; and (iii) a detector capable of detecting time-dependent changes in transport properties of said nanopore; (b) placing said polymer in said first reservoir; (c) causing said polymer to traverse said nanopore; and (d) measuring said transport properties of said nanopore over time, wherein changes in said transport properties over time are indicative of the conformation of said polymer; wherein said conformation comprises quaternary structure formed from binding of a chemical species to said polymer.