Work

Nanopores with an Engineered Selective Entropic Gate Detect Proteins at Nanomolar Concentration in Complex Biological Sample

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Biological nanopores enable the electrical detection of biomolecules, making them ideal sensors for use in health-monitoring devices. Proteins are widely recognized as biomarkers for various diseases, but they present a unique challenge due to their vast diversity and concentration range in biological samples. Here, inspired by the nuclear pore complex, we incorporated a layer of disordered polypeptides into the biological nanopore YaxAB. This polypeptide mesh formed an entropic gate, significantly reducing the entry of proteins from a highly concentrated mixture, including blood. The introduction of a specific recognition element within the disordered polypeptides allowed targeted proteins to penetrate through the nanopores, where they were recognized by specific current signatures. This biosensing approach allowed for the recognition of nanomolar proteins directly from blood samples without prior sample preparation. This work paves the way for the next generation of nanopore sensors for the real-time detection of proteins in blood.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c17147

Authors: Sabine Straathof, Giovanni Di Muccio, Giovanni Maglia

Institutions: University of Groningen, Marche Polytechnic University

Language: English

Topic: Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek