Abstract
Nanopores have become an important tool for the detection and analysis of molecules at the single-molecule level. Surface modification of solid-state nanopores can improve their durability and efficiency. Peptides are ideal for surface modifications as they allow tailoring of multiple properties by a rational design of their sequence. Here, silicon nitride nanopores were coated by a dipeptide layer where a l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) residue is the anchoring element and the other amino acid moiety is the functional element. DOPA binds tightly to many types of surfaces and allows a one-step functionalization of surfaces by simple immersion. As a result, the lifetime of coated nanopores increased from hours to months and the current-stability has significantly improved with respect to uncoated pores. This improvement is achieved by controlling the surface wettability and charge. Peptide-coated nanopores can be utilized as sensitive sensors that can be adjusted based on the choice of the functional moiety of the coated peptide. In addition, the coating slows down dsDNA translocation because of the DNA interaction with the pore coating.
Highlights
Nanopores are selective and sensitive sensors at the singlemolecule level
This was done without any chemical treatment of the silicon surface as in other peptides binding procedures reported for solid state nanopores.[29,30]
Our results show that DOPA allows a simple one-step peptide functionalization of surfaces
Summary
Nanopores are selective and sensitive sensors at the singlemolecule level. They are used to detect various analytes, like single ions, organic molecules, and more complex molecules such as proteins and nucleic acid polymers. They are mainly used for rapid and low-cost DNA sequencing.[1]. Electric potential is applied across the insulating membrane that separates two chambers filled with ionic solution, resulting in ions current through the nanopore. When an analyte is translocated through the pore, the flow of ions is normally blocked and results in a change in the monitored current
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