A biochip for molecular detection and sensing is disclosed. The biochip includes a substrate. The biochip includes a plurality of discrete sites formed on the substrate having a density of greater than five hundred wells per square millimeter. Each discrete site includes sidewalls disposed on the substrate to form a well. Each discrete site includes an electrode disposed at the bottom of the well. In some embodiments, the wells are formed such that cross-talk between the wells is reduced. In some embodiments, the electrodes disposed at the bottom of the wells are organized into groups of electrodes, wherein each group of electrodes shares a common counter electrode. In some embodiments, the electrode disposed at the bottom of the well has a dedicated counter electrode. In some embodiments, surfaces of the sidewalls are silanized such that the surfaces facilitate the forming of a membrane in or adjacent to the well.