The field of synthetic membrane nanopores has long sought to replicate the sophisticated functions of biological ion channels and pores. However, researchers have faced significant challenges in creating stable, large-lumen nanopores with tunable properties.

Traditional synthetic nanopores, despite their applications in biosensing, sequencing, and synthetic cells, suffer from limitations such as fixed pore sizes and lack of dynamic gating, which restricts their functional versatility compared to their biological counterparts.

A recent study introduces an innovative solution: a triangular DNA nanopore with a large, tunable lumen. The researchers have successfully addressed the aforementioned challenges through several key innovations:

1. Triangular Architecture: The nanopore’s triangular design ensures structural stability, even with a large lumen area ranging from tens to hundreds of square nanometers.
2. Dynamic Lumen Control: The pore can transition between expanded and contracted states in response to specific DNA-binding stimuli, mimicking the behavior of natural ion channels.
3. Mechanical Gating Mechanism: The conformational changes are achieved through a pinching and releasing mechanism at the three corners of the triangular frame, allowing precise control over the pore dimensions.
4. Versatile Functionality: The nanopore demonstrates efficient molecular transport capabilities and low-noise, repeatable readouts, making it suitable for various sensing and transport applications.

The researchers employed multiple techniques to confirm the nanopore’s structure and functionality: transmission electron microscopy imaging, molecular dynamics simulations, influx assays in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs, Vesicle Prep Pro), and bilayer recordings with the Orbit Mini. These methods provided robust evidence of the nanopore’s stable architecture and its ability to function as designed.

In conclusion, this study represents a significant leap in the design of synthetic nanopores, bringing them closer to mimicking the complex functionalities of biological systems. The ability to tune the lumen size while maintaining structural stability makes this nanopore a powerful tool for future research and applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology.

—

Find the full article here: A lumen-tunable triangular DNA nanopore for molecular sensing and cross-membrane transport

Learn more about automated preparation of solvent-free GUVs: https://www.nanion.de/products/vesicle-prep-pro/ and lipid bilayer recordings : https://www.nanion.de/products/orbit-mini/