Nanopory : budowa, właściwości, modele, zastosowania

Nanopores are small (1–100 nm diameter) holes/channels formed in biological membranes (Fig. 1) or fabricated in synthetic materials (Fig. 2). Permeation of ions and small molecules through nanopores is common in biological systems. The first experiments where nanopores were used as single-molecule sensors were performed in the 90s [1, 2]. The detection principle is based on a monitoring of an ionic current passing through a nanopore as an electric field is applied across the membrane. Electrically charged particles (e.g. DNA ) move in the electric field and block the ionic current as they pass through the nanopore. A sudden drop of the ionic current signals a single-molecule translocation event (Fig. 3–5). Nanopore sensors can give an information about the analyte: its size, structure and bonds stability. Today, a major topic of interest is the possibility of nanopore DNA sequencing. In this work we present an introduction to nanopore technology and to current research related to potential nanopore applications. First, we describe biological and synthetic nanopores: their structure and methods of fabrication. Next, different modes of nanopore experiments are presented. In the third section, we focus on theoretical models and simulations of nanopores. Finally, we present future perspectives for applications with particular reference to DNA sequencing.