Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
11:45
Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Published on: August 17, 2017
15.3K
Distinct functional elements for outer-surface anti-interference and inner-wall ion gating of nanochannels
Pengcheng Gao1, Qun Ma1, Defang Ding1
1Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences (CUG), 388 lumo Road, 430074, Wuhan, China.
Nature Communications
|November 3, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to distinguish functional elements (FEs) on the inner and outer surfaces of nanochannels. This approach improves ionic gating by using outer surface FEs to block interfering molecules, reducing false signals in complex environments.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Nanochannels are crucial for applications like DNA sequencing and biosensing.
- Research has primarily focused on functional elements (FEs) on the inner wall (IW) of nanochannels.
- The role of FEs on the outer surface (OS) of nanochannels remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explicitly partition and analyze the distinct contributions of FEs on the outer surface (FE_OS) and inner wall (FE_IW) of nanochannels.
- To investigate the potential of FE_OS in mitigating interference in nanochannel applications.
- To develop a quantitative method for evaluating the performance of FE_OS in blocking interfering molecules.
Main Methods:
- Accurate regional modification of both the outer surface (OS) and inner wall (IW) of nanochannels.
- Functionalization of FE_IW for ionic gating.
- Functionalization of FE_OS with hydrophobic or charged groups to block interference molecules.
- Development of a composite factor (radar map areas) to assess FE_OS performance.
Main Results:
- Successfully partitioned and modified FE_OS and FE_IW.
- Demonstrated that FE_OS effectively blocks interference molecules from entering nanochannels.
- Showed a significant decrease in false signals for ionic gating in complex environments due to FE_OS.
- Validated the composite factor as a reliable metric for evaluating FE_OS blocking performance.
Conclusions:
- The distinct roles of FE_OS and FE_IW in nanochannel performance are established.
- FE_OS functionalization offers a novel strategy to enhance the reliability of nanochannel-based sensors and devices.
- The developed evaluation method provides a quantitative basis for designing improved nanochannel systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
8.2K
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
8.2K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
7.7K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
7.7K
01:19Ligand-gated Ion Channels
14.3K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that...
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that...
14.3K
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
10.8K
Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
10.8K
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
4.0K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
4.0K
01:21G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
5.7K
GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision. The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory...
Sensory...
5.7K