Highly Sensitive and Selective DNA-Based Detection of Mercury(II) with α-Hemolysin Nanopore

Abstract

The duplex formation mediated by Hg(2+) in a properly designed ssDNA generates a stable hairpin structure, which greatly alters the translocation profile of the ssDNA through α-hemolysin nanopore. From the 2D-events contour plot, the presence of Hg(2+) can be confirmed in as little as 30 min at ∼7 nM or higher. The sensor is highly selective to Hg(2+), without interference from other metal ions. It can be fabricated from readily available materials, without the processes of synthesis, purification, probe-making, and so forth. This sensing strategy opens new possibilities for detecting many types of analytes which have specific interactions with DNA molecules.

Nanopore detection of double stranded DNA using a track-etched polycarbonate membrane

“…Several resistive-pulse studies have been conducted using biological nanopores [9][10][11][12]. One of such nanopores, α-Hemolysin, has been widely used in determining the translocation properties and detection of proteins [13], RNA [14] and DNA [15] or even controlling reactions by analyzing the current [16].…”

Ultrasensitive determination of mercury(II) using glass nanopores functionalized with macrocyclic dioxotetraamines

“…[12][13][14] Based on a T-Hg 2+ -T base, previous studies utilized α-hemolysin nanopore to selectively detect Hg 2+ . [15][16][17] However, the stability of the biological protein pores are the crucial obstacles for its portable and long-term usage. Glass conical nanopore, fabricated from glass capillary, shows the characteristics of high mechanical stability, easy modification and low cost.…”

Recent advances of DNA sequencing via nanopore-based technologies

“…After nearly 20 years' rapid development, nanopore-based sensing technology has become one type of important method for detecting various analytes such as metal ions [1,2], organic small molecules [3,4], biomacromolecules including oligonucleotides [5], peptides [6], and so on [7,8]. Among all of those research efforts, DNA sequencing has drawn the most attention [9].…”