Platforms
Platforms is part of the Nanopore Wiki learning path. Nanopore platforms range from custom single-pore electrophysiology rigs to commercial sequencing instruments and integrated sensing chips.
Core concepts
- A platform includes pore chemistry, flow cell or chamber, electronics, software, and consumables.
- Commercial systems prioritize robust workflows and throughput.
- Custom rigs prioritize flexibility and mechanistic control.
- Platform choice determines file formats, metadata, controls, and analysis pipelines.
Platform selection
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Define whether the goal is sequencing, sensing, method development, or teaching. |
| 2 | Compare throughput, portability, cost, consumables, and required expertise. |
| 3 | Check data formats and supported analysis tools. |
| 4 | Design controls around platform-specific failure modes. |
Typical applications
- Portable sequencing.
- Laboratory-scale single-molecule experiments.
- Device engineering and sensor development.
Common pitfalls
- Choosing an instrument before defining the scientific question.
- Ignoring consumable availability, model versions, and software requirements.
- Treating marketing specifications as experimental guarantees.