title: Stochastic detection of enantiomers.
abstract: The rapid quantification of the enantiomers of small chiral molecules is very important, notably in pharmacology. Here, we show that the enantiomers of drug molecules can be distinguished by stochastic sensing, a single-molecule detection technique. The sensing element is an engineered alpha-hemolysin protein pore, fitted with a beta-cyclodextrin adapter. By using the approach, the enantiomeric composition of samples of ibuprofen and thalidomide can be determined in less than 1 s.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, The Texas A and M University System Health Science Center, College Station, Texas 77843-1114, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheley
authors.forename: Xiyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Hagan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bayley
mesh_terms: D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009154:Mutation; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; D013792:Thalidomide; C031215:betadex; D007052:Ibuprofen