For originality this is the first 3rd gene sequencing by destruction. An exonuclease feeds cleaved bases into a modified hemolysin, while the potential is monitored. According to Oxford modified hemolysin (more specifically the cyclodextrin modification) interacts differently with each base resulting in a different potential drop allowing the base discrimination.
Pros: Look ma, no label. No amplification, no label, this is a close to pure DNA readout as one can imagine (might also do methylated DNA)
Con: Lipid bilayers are notoriously fluid causing motion in the pore. Manufacturing and kitting lipid bilayers as consumables, logistical nightmare. This is a great technology for a single pore, but pore arrays for this readout and the bilayer will be another large hurdle. Commercialization will be VERY challenging, perhaps this would be better as a service?
I will be interested to see how they progress.
Video here:
http://www.nanoporetech.com/sequences/
Pros: Look ma, no label. No amplification, no label, this is a close to pure DNA readout as one can imagine (might also do methylated DNA)
Con: Lipid bilayers are notoriously fluid causing motion in the pore. Manufacturing and kitting lipid bilayers as consumables, logistical nightmare. This is a great technology for a single pore, but pore arrays for this readout and the bilayer will be another large hurdle. Commercialization will be VERY challenging, perhaps this would be better as a service?
I will be interested to see how they progress.
Video here:
http://www.nanoporetech.com/sequences/