Negative memory capacitance and ionic filtering effects in asymmetric nanopores.

The pervasive model for a solvated, ion-filled nanopore is often a resistor in parallel with a capacitor. For conical nanopore geometries, here we propose the inclusion of a Warburg-like element, which is necessary to explain otherwise anomalous observations such as negative capacitance and low-pass filtering of translocation events (we term this phenomenon as Warburg filtering). The negative capacitance observed here has long equilibration times and memory (that is, mem-capacitance) at negative voltages.

Physical Laboratory Automation in Synthetic Biology.

Synthetic Biology has overcome many of the early challenges facing the field and is entering a systems era characterized by adoption of Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) approaches. The need for automation and standardization to enable reproducible, scalable, and translatable research has become increasingly accepted in recent years, and many of the hardware and software tools needed to address these challenges are now in place or under development. However, the lack of connectivity between DBTL modules and barriers to access and adoption remain significant challenges to realizing the full potential of lab automation.

Protein and DNA Yield Current Enhancements, Slow Translocations, and an Enhanced Signal-to-Noise Ratio under a Salt Imbalance.

Nanopores are a promising single-molecule sensing device class that captures molecular-level information through resistive or conductive pulse sensing (RPS and CPS). The latter has not been routinely utilized in the nanopore field despite the benefits it could provide, specifically in detecting subpopulations of a molecule. A systematic study was conducted here to study the CPS-based molecular discrimination and its voltage-dependent characteristics.

On the origins of conductive pulse sensing inside a nanopore.

Nanopore sensing is nearly synonymous with resistive pulse sensing due to the characteristic occlusion of ions during pore occupancy, particularly at high salt concentrations. Contrarily, conductive pulses are observed under low salt conditions wherein electroosmotic flow is significant. Most literature reports counterions as the dominant mechanism of conductive events (a molecule-centric theory).

DNA Coil Dynamics and Hydrodynamic Gating of Pressure-Biased Nanopores.

Nanopores are ideally suited for the analysis of long DNA fragments including chromosomal DNA and synthetic DNA with applications in genome sequencing and DNA data storage, respectively. Hydrodynamic fluid flow has been shown to slow down DNA transit time within the pore, however other influences of hydrodynamic forces have yet to be explored. In this report, a broad analysis of pressure-biased nanopores and the impact of hydrodynamics on DNA transit time, capture rate, current blockade depth, and DNA folding are conducted.

Nanodiagnostics: A review of the medical capabilities of nanopores.

Modern diagnostics strive to be accurate, fast, and inexpensive in addition to properly identifying the presence of a disease, infection, or illness. Early diagnosis is key; catching a disease in its early stages can be the difference between fatality and treatment. The challenge with many diseases is that detectability of the disease scales with disease progression.

Measuring trapped DNA at the liquid-air interface for enhanced single molecule sensing.

Nanopore sensing is a promising tool with widespread application in single-molecule detection. Borosilicate glass nanopores are a viable alternative to other solid-state nanopores due to low noise and cost-efficient fabrication. For dielectric materials, including borosilicate glass, the capacitive noise is one of the major contributors to noise, which depends on the wall thickness and the surface area submerged in an ionic solution.