Introduction

DNA movement through a nanopore can be converted into a measurable signal. Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.

Introduction is part of the Nanopore Wiki learning path. Nanopore detection converts molecular motion through nanoscale pores into measurable electrical or physical signals. It is the foundation for nanopore sequencing and for many single-molecule sensing methods.

Core concepts

• A nanopore system contains a nanoscale pore, electrolyte, an applied driving force, and a detector.
• The open-pore signal is the baseline measured when no target occupies the pore.
• A blockade event is a transient signal change caused by a molecule entering, passing through, or interacting with the pore.
• Useful interpretation depends on controls, repeatability, signal-to-noise ratio, and metadata.

Learning path

Step	Description
1	Start with open-pore current, blockade depth, dwell time, and event frequency.
2	Learn how pore type, voltage, buffer chemistry, and sample state affect the signal.
3	Connect physical signals to sequencing, sensing, and bioinformatics workflows.
4	Use controls and statistical summaries before making biological or technical claims.

Typical applications

• Orientation for new readers entering nanopore technology.
• Bridge between nanopore sequencing and broader single-molecule detection.
• Reference page for terminology used throughout the site.

Common pitfalls

• Treating a visible event as proof of target detection without controls.
• Ignoring baseline instability, drift, and filtering effects.
• Mixing nanopore sequencing and general nanopore sensing without stating the platform.

Related pages

• Nanopore technology
• Single-molecule detection
• Nanopore sequencing
• Glossary

References

• Nanopore
• Nanopore sequencing