The Detection of Disease Biomarkers Using Nanopore Technologies
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Biochemistry
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Diseases and infections tend to yield unique biomarkers. Biomarkers are measurable substances within an organism whose presence can be indicative of a disease or infection. A nanopore, a single hole in a membrane whose diameter is measured in nanometers, measures change in current and dwell time as biological molecules translocate. Translocating molecules produce unique signals which can be used to identify specific biomarkers. This is a newly discovered method for the detection of diseases and infections in a living organism, simply through the process of blood extraction. The nanopore consists of a cup and chamber with a membrane separating the two. A salt solution, of equal molarity and amount, is added to each side of the membrane. Two electrodes are placed on each side creating an electric field. Through the process of adding a protein, Alpha-hemolysin, a nanopore will insert into the membrane. The solution of extracted blood is loaded onto the nanopore and the molecules will translocate from one side of the membrane to the other following the current of the electric field. As the molecules, touch, pass through or stick to the nanopore, a signal is sent to the monitoring software which can be interpreted by the researcher. The shape, current blocked, and dwell time can tell the researcher about the biomarker and what disease or infection is present. Nanopore Technology can eventually eliminate Lumbar Punctures, PET Scans, and MRI's. Through lots of trials, new methods develop, bringing the nanopore closer to being used throughout the medical field.
Recommended Citation
Daniels, Ivana, "The Detection of Disease Biomarkers Using Nanopore Technologies" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 54.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/54
Location
Furman Hall 118
Start Date
3-28-2020 10:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
The Detection of Disease Biomarkers Using Nanopore Technologies
Furman Hall 118
Diseases and infections tend to yield unique biomarkers. Biomarkers are measurable substances within an organism whose presence can be indicative of a disease or infection. A nanopore, a single hole in a membrane whose diameter is measured in nanometers, measures change in current and dwell time as biological molecules translocate. Translocating molecules produce unique signals which can be used to identify specific biomarkers. This is a newly discovered method for the detection of diseases and infections in a living organism, simply through the process of blood extraction. The nanopore consists of a cup and chamber with a membrane separating the two. A salt solution, of equal molarity and amount, is added to each side of the membrane. Two electrodes are placed on each side creating an electric field. Through the process of adding a protein, Alpha-hemolysin, a nanopore will insert into the membrane. The solution of extracted blood is loaded onto the nanopore and the molecules will translocate from one side of the membrane to the other following the current of the electric field. As the molecules, touch, pass through or stick to the nanopore, a signal is sent to the monitoring software which can be interpreted by the researcher. The shape, current blocked, and dwell time can tell the researcher about the biomarker and what disease or infection is present. Nanopore Technology can eventually eliminate Lumbar Punctures, PET Scans, and MRI's. Through lots of trials, new methods develop, bringing the nanopore closer to being used throughout the medical field.
