A research team at the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) has developed a nanopore-based sensor that may help diagnose illnesses with greater precision than conventional diagnostics by capturing signals from individual molecules.
The team, headed by Kevin Freedman, an assistant professor of bioengineering at UC Riverside and lead author of an article on the sensor published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology sought to develop a tool capable of detecting signals from individual molecules, such as certain DNA or protein molecules, that are roughly one-billionth of a meter wide.
Scientists developed a new circuit model with a nanopore opening, through which molecules pass one at a time. Biological samples are loaded into the circuit along with salts, which dissociate into ions, Freedman explained in a blog post from the university.
The flow of ions is reduced or blocked if protein or DNA molecules from the sample pass through the pore; the sensor measures the reduction in flow. To analyze the electrical signals generated by the ions, the system was designed to take into account that some molecules may not be detected when passing through the nanopore.
Conventional sensors use external filters that remove unwanted signals but may accidentally remove important data in the process. In contrast, the UC Riverside tool preserves the signal of each molecule while the nanopore itself acts as a filter. This ensures its accuracy in diagnostic applications.
According to Freedman, the tool could potentially be incorporated into a portable diagnostic; nanopore sensors could detect infections within 24 to 48 hours, he said.
Additionally, the device may contribute to protein research, a critical area, as proteins serve key functions in cells and can serve as important markers for diagnoses. The nanopore device can distinguish differences between individual proteins with great sensitivity, with the potential to contribute to the development of personalized treatments.
