DNA has been used as probes for nanopore sensing of noncharged biomacromolecules due to its negative phosphate backbone. Inspired by this, we explored the potential of diblock synthetic polyelectrolytes as a more flexible and less expensive nanopore sensing probe by investigating translocation behaviors of PEO-b-PSS and PEO-b-PVBTMA through commonly used alpha-hemolysin (α-HL) and Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) nanopores. Translocation recordings in different configurations of pore orientation and testing voltage indicated efficient PEO-b-PSS translocations through α-HL and PEO-b-PVBTMA translocations through MspA. This work provides insight into synthetic polyelectrolyte-based probes to expand probe selection and flexibility for nanopore sensing.
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