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Monitoring Protein Adsorption with Solid-state Nanopores
Published on: December 2, 2011
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Conformation-Dependent Dynamics of Polymer Capture and Translocation through Solid-State Nanopores
Yadong Li1,2, Wanyi Xie1,3, Shaoxi Fang1,3
1Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 1, 2025
Summary
Polymer conformation significantly impacts DNA translocation through nanopores. Understanding this "crowding effect" is crucial for advancing DNA sequencing and sensing technologies.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Polymer translocation through solid-state nanopores is vital for biological processes.
- Polymer conformation critically influences capture and translocation dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of polymer conformation (supercoiled vs. linear plasmid DNA) on nanopore capture and translocation.
- To analyze the relationship between current blockage, applied voltage, and polymer structure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized plasmid pBR322 DNA in supercoiled and linear forms.
- Examined polymer translocation dynamics across various pore sizes.
- Correlated current blockage characteristics with applied voltages.
Main Results:
- Nonlinear voltage-current relationships indicate conformation-dependent capture.
- Reduced supercoiled plasmid ratio enhanced folding translocation frequency and reduced blockage current deviation.
- Increased supercoiled plasmids amplified the impact of linear conformation on mixed plasmid translocation with higher voltages.
- Identified a polymer conformation-dependent bias termed the "crowding effect".
Conclusions:
- Polymer conformation dictates capture and translocation behavior in nanopores.
- The "crowding effect" influences translocation dynamics.
- Findings offer insights for enhancing nanopore-based sequencing and sensing technologies.
