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Nanopore Discriminating d-Glucose Enantiomer Using a Designed Chiral Receptor
Shuang Li1, Shuting Li1,2,3, Longda Li1,3
1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Precision Detection and Screening, School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, 22 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|May 11, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a biomimetic ion gate that selectively detects d-glucose using a novel receptor. This artificial system demonstrates sensitive and specific glucose sensing, paving the way for advanced biosensors.
Area of Science:
- Biomimetic chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
Background:
- Ion channels exhibit selective transport of biological molecules.
- Artificial systems mimicking biological selectivity are crucial for advanced diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a biomimetic ion gate responsive to d-glucose.
- To develop a nanopore sensor for sensitive and specific glucose detection.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a chiral biphenylboronic acid (cBBA) derivative as a responsive element.
- Integration of cBBA into an artificial nanopore.
- Ionic current rectification (ICR) measurements.
- Density functional theory (DFT) and finite element simulations.
Main Results:
- The biomimetic ion gate showed sensitive and specific response to d-glucose, with detection down to 10 pM.
- A high switch ratio of 1530 was achieved at physiological glucose concentrations (5 mM).
- The system demonstrated selectivity for d-glucose over l-glucose and other saccharides, with pH-dependent reversible gating.
Conclusions:
- The developed artificial receptor and nanopore system effectively mimic biological ion channel selectivity for d-glucose.
- The sensor successfully performed electrochemical assays of glucose in biofluids.
- This work presents a promising platform for developing next-generation glucose biosensors.
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