1. Single Molecule Mass Spectrometry Using a Single Nanopore
Dr. John J. Kasianowicz
Colleagues:
NIST: J. Robertson, V. Stanford
Brazil: O. Krasilnikov, C. Rodrigues

2. NIST Nanobiotechnology Project
Targets
Goals:
real-time electronic detection, identification, quantification of DNA, proteins & other biomolecules
potential impact: early cancer detection, other health care measurement needs, Systems Biology, Homeland Security, ...
DNA
Proteins
Actual devices in the near term will be based on measurements of molecules (e.g., cell signaling agents, proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites) in cytoplasm and in blood (e.g., like glucose sensors).
Cell-signaling agents
Star Trek Tricorder: Hollywood’s rendition of future Biomedical instrumentation.

3. Why Electronics for Future Bio-Measurement Needs?
Electronic measurements revolutionized biological research twice in the past 70 years
~ 1940s-1950s: Crucial for understanding how nerves work
~ 1970s: Single biological molecule measurements
The need to obtain more detailed & quantitative information about many small molecules simultaneously requires an approach that uses nano- & micro-fabrication, systems integration, & rapid measurement: i.e., the realm of electronics.

4. Biological Roles of Pore-Forming Proteins
Nerve activity
Cell-cell communication
Membrane transport
Toxins
...
from nerve
Staph
nanopore
Anthrax
nanopore
NIST research has shown that these nanopore structures have the potential for use in quantitative biosensing applications

5. Electronic Detection of Single DNA Molecules with a Nanopore
Single DNA molecules can be driven through a nanopore by voltage ...
... different DNA molecule types cause different signals
Can we electronically sequence DNA base by base?
Kasianowicz, et al., Proc. Nat’l Acad. Sci. (USA); Kasianowicz, JJ., S.E. Henrickson, H.H. Weetall, & B. Robertson., Analytical Chemistry; Kasianowicz, J.J., J.W.F. Robertson, E.R. Chan, J. E. Reiner, & V.M Stanford Ann. Rev. Anal. Chem.

6. Single Molecule Mass Spectrometry in Aqueous Solution Using a Nanopore
Neutral polymers can also enter & leave a nanopore
red: polydisperse
blue: monodisperse
Amount of ionic current blocked scales with the polymer size
Each peak in the mean blockade current corresponds to a particular size polymer
The method can easily resolve ALL the molecules in the polydisperse sample and easily distinguishes between polymers that differ by only ~ 0.6 nm in length!
Robertson,J.W.F., C.G. Rodrigues, V.M Stanford, K.A. Rubinson, O.V. Krasilnkov, & J.J. Kasianowicz Proc. Nat’l Acad. Sci. (USA)
Patent application pending.

7. Opportunities
Rapid/inexpensive genomic sequencing & mass spectrometry measurements could help catalogue ALL life on the planet (impacts: drug development/discovery; ecology)
New tools to electronically detect & identify molecules could also be used to study the origins of life (e.g., instrumentation for interplanetary exploration & exobiology)

8. Other Electronic Biosensing Opportunities
Electronic Detection of Anthrax Toxins EF
The binding of Anthrax Edema Factor (EF) to the Anthrax nanopore changes the pore’s electronic signature
The measurement is rapid (2 seconds vs. many hours for cell-based assays)
This technique has been shown to provide the basis for High-Throughput Screening of therapeutic agents against Anthax toxins
NIST & Ft. Detrick (USAMRIID & NCI) collaboration: Halverson, K.M, R.G. Panchal, T.L. Nguyen, R. Gussio, S.F. Little, M. Misakian, S. Bavari, & J.J. Kasianowicz, J. Biol. Chem.