Patent 7501279 was granted and assigned to University of Washington on March, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A device for conducting parallel analysis or manipulation of multiple cells or biomolecules is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a silicon chip with a microwell, and at least one membrane suspended at the bottom opening of the microwell. The suspended portion of the membrane defines a nanohole that provides access to the material on the other side of the membrane.