title: Distinguishing single- and double-stranded nucleic acid molecules using solid-state nanopores.
abstract: Solid-state nanopores offer a promising method for rapidly probing the structural properties of biopolymers such as DNA and RNA. We have for the first time translocated RNA molecules through solid-state nanopores, comparing the signatures of translocating double-stranded RNA molecules and of single-stranded homopolymers poly(A), poly(U), poly(C). On the basis of their differential blockade currents, we can rapidly discriminate between both single- and double-stranded nucleic-acid molecules, as well as separate purine-based homopolymers from pyrimidine-based homopolymers. Molecule identification is facilitated through the application of high voltages ( approximately 600 mV), which contribute to the entropic stretching of these highly flexible molecules. This striking sensitivity to relatively small differences in the underlying polymer structure greatly improves the prospects for using nanopore-based devices for DNA or RNA mapping.
authors.affiliation: Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gary M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van den Hout
authors.forename: Onno
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Broekmans
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: Nynke H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Dekker
mesh_terms: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D009696:Nucleic Acids