Detection of Biological Molecules Using Nanopore Sensing Techniques

Abstract

Modern biomedical sensing techniques have significantly increased in precision and accuracy due to new technologies that enable speed and that can be tailored to be highly specific for markers of a particular disease. Diagnosing early-stage conditions is paramount to treating serious diseases. Usually, in the early stages of the disease, the number of specific biomarkers is very low and sometimes difficult to detect using classical diagnostic methods. Among detection methods, biosensors are currently attracting significant interest in medicine, for advantages such as easy operation, speed, and portability, with additional benefits of low costs and repeated reliable results. Single-molecule sensors such as nanopores that can detect biomolecules at low concentrations have the potential to become clinically relevant. As such, several applications have been introduced in this field for the detection of blood markers, nucleic acids, or proteins. The use of nanopores has yet to reach maturity for standardization as diagnostic techniques, however, they promise enormous potential, as progress is made into stabilizing nanopore structures, enhancing chemistries, and improving data collection and bioinformatic analysis. This review offers a new perspective on current biomolecule sensing techniques, based on various types of nanopores, challenges, and approaches toward implementation in clinical settings.

Direct and Continuous Monitoring of Multicomponent Antibiotic Gentamicin in Blood at Single-Molecule Resolution

“…Renowned for its breakthroughs in DNA sequencing and protein analysis, − nanopore technology possesses advantages such as real-time and single-molecule detection, miniaturization, low-cost, and high throughput. − These advantages indicate its potential for point-of-care monitoring of small molecules. , Up to now, nanopore-based methods for small-molecule analysis have exhibited exceptional molecular resolution and sensitivity. , Besides, they markedly enhance the convenience of detecting biofluids, − diminishing the reliance on specialized laboratory environments . However, it is obvious that the majority of small molecule sensing strategies rely on nanopores with channel constriction diameters of 1 nm and above, including biological nanopores (α-HL, , MspA, , FraC, et al), as well as certain types of solid-state nanopores. , These nanopores often require additional modification or molecule labeling due to their large channel diameter when detecting small molecules, which necessitates advanced engineering skills and may potentially limit their capability for continuous monitoring.…”

“…of small molecules. 12,14 Up to now, nanopore-based methods for small-molecule analysis have exhibited exceptional molecular resolution and sensitivity. 15,16 Besides, they markedly enhance the convenience of detecting biofluids, 17−19 diminishing the reliance on specialized laboratory environments.…”

Design and Construction of a Multi-Tiered Minimal Actin Cortex for Structural Support in Lipid Bilayer Applications

“…A number of emerging sensing technologies critically depend on robust lipid bilayers, including those based on biological nanopores. − To work properly, analytes must be able to move from the bathing solution surrounding the interface to the mouth of the nanopore. Specific nanopore sensing applications include DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing, − nucleic acid detection, − polypeptide detection, RNA profiling, synthetic polymer characterization, − digital data storage, − disease detection, ion sensing, small molecule detection, and sensing of protein–drug interactions . Multiple types of nanopores with various pore sizes and channel structures can be employed.…”