The process utilizes a membrane with a pore size small enough to allow
only one DNA/RNA strand to pass through. A voltage in maintained across
the membrane controls the speed which the molecule passes through. As
the DNA threads its way through, a property of the membrane changes
(perhaps conductivity, voltage, capacitance ?) depending on the base that
is in the pore at that time.
Currently, the process is not very accurate, but promises to be.
Al McCarrick
mccarric@mailgate.navsses.navy.mil