Low Cost Identification of Small Molecules and Molecular Subunits

This approach to molecular analysis and genome sequencing consists of a way to identify small molecules or molecular subunits by taking advantage of changes in the electrical double layer chemical potential and current as well as mobility of the analyte within the nanopore. The global markets for personalized medicine and genomic sequencing are expected to increase in the coming years due to technological and research advancements. The genome sequencing market alone is expected to reach a value of $20 billion by 2020. Current technologies only use ionic current signal to identify molecules; however, this method has not proved practical due to the use of modern nanopores. Clemson University researchers instead developed a device that utilizes the changes in electrical double layer chemical potential in combination with current changes and mobility rates of the analyte within the nanopores. By combining all three of these sensing mechanisms, this nanopore device can detect and identify molecules moving through the nanopore because molecules of various sizes and charges produce different electric potential signals. The success of this sensing approach is a key advancement in the emerging field of personalized medicine and predictive diagnostics.