Nano-pore Sequencing

It is a third-generation sequencing approach by which a single molecule of DNA or RNA can be sequencing without using PCR for amplification or chemical labeling of sample ¹.

It was invented by Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd. It can easily sequence ultra-long fragments easily and in no time.

Working

A nano-pore is a pore of nanometer size 10^-12 meters.

A nanopore is a protein in nature, embedded in an electrically insulated membrane. An ionic current is passed through the aperture of the pore as the membrane is electrically resistant ². A single strand of DNA or RNA when passed through the pore it causes disruption in the current passing through the pore which is then detected ³.

Importance

It is important as it is the fastest DNA sequencing technique as it has the capacity of sequencing 50-250 bases per sec/pore. Nanopore technology is used because ⁴

• Ability to sequence single molecules

• Long read lengths

• Real-time analysis

• Cost-effectiveness

• Versatility

 

Advantages and Disadvantages

The pros of nanopore sequencing techniques are:

• Uses very few reagents

• Needs little power

• Extremely longer fragments can be easily processed

• Inexpensive

The cons of nanopore sequencing are:

• It has some temperature limitations

• High signal to noise ratio

 

By Zoha Khan

 

References

1.      Rhee, M. & Burns, M. A. Nanopore sequencing technology: nanopore preparations. TRENDS Biotechnol. 25, 174–181 (2007).

2.      van Dijk, E. L., Jaszczyszyn, Y., Naquin, D. & Thermes, C. The third revolution in sequencing technology. Trends Genet. 34, 666–681 (2018).

3.      Yang, Y. et al. Advances in nanopore sequencing technology. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 13, 4521–4538 (2013).

4.      Rhee, M. & Burns, M. A. Nanopore sequencing technology: research trends and applications. Trends Biotechnol. 24, 580–586 (2006).