title: Voltage-controlled metal binding on polyelectrolyte-functionalized nanopores.
abstract: Most of the research in the field of nanopore-based platforms is focused on monitoring ion currents and forces as individual molecules translocate through the nanopore. Molecular gating, however, can occur when target analytes interact with receptors appended to the nanopore surface. Here we show that a solid state nanopore functionalized with polyelectrolytes can reversibly bind metal ions, resulting in a reversible, real-time signal that is concentration dependent. Functionalization of the sensor is based on electrostatic interactions, requires no covalent bond formation, and can be monitored in real time. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the applied voltage can be employed to tune the binding properties of the sensor. The sensor has wide-ranging applications and, its simplest incarnation can be used to study binding thermodynamics using purely electrical measurements with no need for labeling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Actis
authors.forename: Boaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vilozny
authors.forename: R Adam
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seger
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Olufisayo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jejelowo
authors.forename: Marguerite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rinaudo
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pourmand
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D004560:Electricity; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D058608:Nanopores; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D008670:Metals; D011108:Polymers; D048271:Chitosan