Single molecule nanopore sequencing of DNA

Nanopores are a new tool to study single bio molecules. We have developed the biologic pore Mycobacterium smegmatis porin A (MspA) for nanopore sequencing of DNA. A single molecule of DNA is drawn into the pore by a voltage applied across the pore, while an ionic current passing through the pore reveals the DNA's composition, its interactions with the pore and its dynamics. A polymerase is used to control the translocation velocity through the pore. We will demonstrate how this technique leads to a simple and fast electronic DNA reader.