Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Solid-State Nanopore Sensors for Nucleic
Acid Analysis
Bala Murali Venkatesan and Rashid Bashir
Abstract Solid-state nanopores are
nm
sized apertures formed in thin synthetic
membranes. These single molecule sensors have been used in a variety of biophys-
ical and diagnostic applications and serve as a potential candidate in the develop-
ment of cost-effective, next generation DNA sequencing technologies, critical to
furthering our understanding of inheritance, individuality, disease and evolution.
The versatility of solid-state nanopore technology allows for both interfacing with
biological systems at the nano-scale as well as large scale VLSI integration
promising reliable, affordable, mass producible biosensors with single molecule
sensing capabilities. In addition, this technology allows for truly parallel, high
throughput DNA and protein analysis through the development of nanopore and
micropore arrays in ultra-thin synthetic membranes. This chapter is focused on the
development of solid-state nanopore sensors in synthetic membranes and the
potential benefits and challenges associated with this technology. Biological
nanopores, primarily
a-hemolysin
and the
phi29
connector are also reviewed. We
conclude with a detailed discussion on chemically modified solid-state nanopores.
These surface functionalized nanopore sensors combine the stability and versatility
of solid-state nanopores with the sensitivity and selectivity of biological nanopore
systems and may play an important role in drug screening and medical diagnostics.
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