A Generalizable Nanopore Sensor for Highly Specific Protein Detection at Single-Molecule Precision

• DOI: 10.1101/2022.10.12.511930
• Publication Date: 2022-10-14T14:20:21Z
• Authors: Mohammad Ahmad; Jeung-Hoi Ha; Lauren A. Mayse; Maria F. Presti; Aaron J. Wolfe; Kelsey J. Moody; Stewart N. Loh; Liviu Movileanu
• Keywords: Nanopore; Profiling (computer programming); Resistive touchscreen

Abstract Protein detection and biomarker profiling have wide-ranging implications in many areas of basic research molecular diagnostics. Substantial progress has been made protein analytics using nanopores the resistive-pulse technique. Yet, a long-standing challenge is implementing specific binding interfaces for detecting proteins without steric hindrance pore interior. To overcome this technological difficulty, we formulate new class sensing elements programmable antibody-mimetic binder fused to monomeric nanopore. This way, such modular design significantly expands utility nanopore sensors numerous while preserving their architecture, specificity, sensitivity. We prove power approach by developing validating analytes that drastically vary size, charge, structural complexity. These produce unique electrical signatures depend on identity quantity binder-analyte assembly at tip. From practical point view, our unambiguously probe recognition events necessity any additional exogenous tag. The outcomes work will impact biomedical diagnostics providing fundamental basis tools biofluids.