Recent Application of Nanopores in the Detection of Small Organic Molecules

Abstract

Nanopore sensors have become a useful tool for detecting small organic molecules, which provides more and more accurate options than traditional analytical techniques. This review outlines and compare the application of various emerging nanopore sensors, which includes solid-state nanopore (silicon nitride and MsO2) and non-solid-state nanopore (α-hemolysin nanopore, aerolysin nanopore, MspA and so on), to identify various organic molecules, including amino acids, nucleotides monosaccharides and others. By taking advantage of the unique current signatures that molecules penerate through nanopores, the researchers have been able to distinguish different types of small molecule with high precision. The differentiation of nucleotides and amino acids is also made use of by innovative methods such as viscosity gradient systems and identification tunnels. Challenges such as nanopore clogging still remains. But it also highlights the further technological need in this field. In summary, nanopore sensors, show great prospect in the field of chemical analysis and have great potential for a variety of applications in the future.