Abstract

Controlling and Measuring the Flow of Charged Species through Nanopores

Mark Platt, Senior Lecturer, Loughborough University

There is no doubt that modern society is dependent upon the accurate and rapid quantification of biological analytes. With an increased appetite for personalised healthcare, personalised sensors and portable devices. Here we present some of our recent work developing multiplexed assays using aptamer modified nanomaterials and nanopores comparing the use resistive pulses and rectification ratios. We have combined multiple aptamers to form dual sensing ligands and placed them onto the surface of Nanoparticles and nanopores. The ability to resolve each analyte binding to the aptamer depends upon the method used. Current rectification is able to monitor binding to the aptamer along its entire length, whereas nanoparticle based assays can only resolve binding of analytes to the DNA furthest from the particles surface. Mutliplexed nanoparticle based assays are possible and we show work measuring bacteria and proteins using this process for the detection of biomarkers and potential pathogens.