High-throughput Sensing Of Proteins By Nanopores
ARRS project code: J4-2547
Period: 1.9.2020 - 31.8.2023
Head: prof. Anderluh Gregor
Due to their great utility in analyte detection, biological nanopores are becoming increasingly popular in molecular biotechnology, synthesis biology, and medical applications. Nanopores are very stable structures. They form on the surface of lipid membranes and have well-defined properties, such as a pore diameter in the range of a few nanometers. Due to their high stability, they can be used in applications where ionic currents flowing through a single pore can be measured. The method can be used to detect the interaction of various analytes with the interior of the pore. Binding of the analyte or clogging of the pore by the analyte results in changes in the ionic currents, and these blockages differ in different analytes. The method is extremely sensitive and has recently been used extensively for the detection of various analytes such as small molecules, peptides, proteins, RNA and DNA. It has gained additional momentum in recent years, and the finest example of the use of nanopores is DNA sequencing. So far, only a handful of nanopores exist, and new pores with modified properties are urgently needed for further applications.
In this project, we will focus on the development of new nanopores formed by coral-forming protein proteins. The goals of the project are: i) we will prepare nanopores for stable incorporation into a system with artificial membranes, allowing efficient detection; ii) we will prepare nanopores for detection of medically important proteins; and iii) we will develop nanopore-based applications capable of distinguishing very similar peptides and proteins. The nanopores we will produce as part of the project will significantly improve detection capabilities. We will provide new pores that will be available for efficient detection of various other analytes. Such approaches are currently lacking, but are essential for the effective identification of medically important proteins in a rapid and simple manner.
