A Breakthrough in Biomolecular Detection

Researchers from the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have unveiled an exciting new nanopore sensor designed for the rapid detection of individual biomolecules, as reported in the prestigious journal PNAS.

How Does It Work?

Nanopore sensors operate by measuring ionic variations that occur as single molecules travel through tiny openings in the device. While existing biological nanopores are on the market, the newly developed solid-state nanopores present a game-changing advantage: they allow for massively parallelized and cost-effective sequencing options, according to Sihan Chen, the lead author of the study.

Innovative Design Breaks Barriers

To achieve base-by-base resolution as single molecules pass through, the team faced challenges in creating ultra-thin metal films within dielectric layers. Ingeniously, they combined the expertise of nanopore scientist Rashid Bashir and 2D materials expert Arend van der Zande to integrate a 2D heterostructure into the nanopore membrane, powering a nanometer-thick diode that controls the speed of DNA translocation.

Transforming Precision Medicine

This advanced sensor could reshape the landscape of precision medicine—tailored treatment based on individual genetic profiles. With this technology, sequencing times could plummet from two weeks to just one hour! Rashid Bashir foresees arrays of millions of these 2D diodes working in parallel to streamline the sequencing process, enabling affordable and personalized medical solutions.

Future Possibilities

The research team is eager to enhance their design further, especially concerning the single p-n junction that currently limits control over DNA translocation. Future experiments could introduce a three-layer structure to stretch DNA using opposing electric fields, offering even greater precision control.

The Growing Market for Precision Medicine

The global precision medicine market is booming, projected to soar from $79.9 billion in 2023 to a staggering $157.1 billion by 2032. The surge in cancer diagnoses and increased funding for human genome research, including a whopping $5.2 billion from the National Institutes of Health for 2024, are key factors driving this dynamic growth.

A Bright Future for Personalized Medicine

As evidenced by the FDA approving 25% of new drugs as personalized medicines in 2019—up from just 5% in 2005—the shift towards personalized healthcare is undeniable. The number of tailored therapies available has skyrocketed from 132 in 2016 to 286 by 2020, indicating a robust trajectory for innovations like this nanopore sensor.