Hybrid pore formation by directed insertion of α-haemolysin into solid-state nanopores.
Most experiments on nanopores have concentrated on the pore-forming protein α-haemolysin (αHL) and on artificial pores in solid-state membranes. While biological pores offer an atomically precise structure and the potential for genetic engineering, solid-state nanopores offer durability, size and shape control, and are also better suited for integration into wafer-scale devices. However, each system has significant limitations: αHL is difficult to integrate because it relies on delicate lipid bilayers for mechanical support, and the fabrication of solid-state nanopores with precise dimensions remains challenging. Here we show that these limitations may be overcome by inserting a single αHL pore into a solid-state nanopore. A double-stranded DNA attached to the protein pore is threaded into a solid-state nanopore by electrophoretic translocation. Protein insertion is observed in 30-40% of our attempts, and translocation of single-stranded DNA demonstrates that the hybrid nanopore remains functional. The hybrid structure offers a platform to create wafer-scale device arrays for genomic analysis, including sequencing.
Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands.
Adam R
AR
Hall
Andrew
A
Scott
Dvir
D
Rotem
Kunal K
KK
Mehta
Hagan
H
Bayley
Cees
C
Dekker
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D009038:Motion; D058608:Nanopores; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D055672:Static Electricity
D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D004247:DNA