Biological nanopores

Lipid bilayers are commonly used to support biological nanopores. Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Biological nanopores is part of the Nanopore Wiki learning path. Biological nanopores are protein or macromolecular pores that provide reproducible nanoscale sensing structures.

Core concepts

• Examples include alpha-hemolysin, MspA, CsgG, and engineered pore variants.
• Their defined structures enable precise sensing regions and mutation engineering.
• They often require membranes, suitable buffers, and careful protein handling.
• Commercial sequencing pores combine pore proteins with motors and integrated flow cells.

Selection logic

Step	Description
1	Define whether the target is DNA, RNA, protein, peptide, or small molecule.
2	Match pore constriction, charge environment, and stability to the target.
3	Check available mutations, adapters, or recognition sites.
4	Validate insertion, single-pore state, and target-specific events.

Typical applications

• Nanopore sequencing.
• Single-molecule recognition and biosensing.
• Mechanistic studies of pore-analyte interactions.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming a pore optimized for sequencing is ideal for every sensing task.
• Ignoring protein storage, membrane composition, and insertion side.
• Over-interpreting rare events without controls and repeats.

Related pages

• Nanopore technology
• Mutation engineering
• Bilayer formation
• Nanopore sequencing

References

• Alpha-hemolysin
• MspA porin