Project 2 – Solid-State nanopore analyser
This subproject integrates a wide range of disciplines, including materials science, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), CMOS technology, nanostructuring processes, functionalisation of technical surfaces, modelling and simulation, machine learning methods (“AI”), alongside innovative microelectronics and microfluidics.
The overarching goal is to establish solid-state nanopores. The prerequisite is industrial manufacturability to enable the production of robust and flexible single-molecule sensors in large quantities. This will, for the first time, create the technological basis for practical diagnostic applications using these next-generation nanopores.
This new technology is based on measuring tiny ionic currents (~10 nA) through individual, technically fabricated nanopores in solid-state membranes. When biomolecules, such as DNA or peptides, enter the pore, they partially block this current. The microelectronics enable the measurement of the resulting current modulation and provide information about the type, sequence, or modification of these biomolecules.
So far, no commercial applications of solid-state nanopores for the detection and sequencing of DNA and RNA or for the characterisation of proteins have been realised. The advantages of solid-state nanopores include robustness, flexibility, scalability, and integration. However, there are still significant challenges to overcome in terms of concept, design, manufacturing, and functionalisation. This project aims to address these issues.
The project is pursuing two potential approaches in particular:
Biomimetic solid-state nanopores are constructed as holes in an insulating layer, analogous to biological nanopores.
An alternative approach involves the implementation of lateral nanochannels. The lateral solution decouples the electrostatic attraction of DNA and RNA through conductive nanochannels from the detection of base-specific currents between nanogap electrodes. Both lateral nanochannels and integrated nanogap electrodes are the technological challenges behind these novel devices.
