This artist's rendering shows how single proteins are probed with an artificially engineered nanopore in a metallized solid-state membrane. A primary protein (dark red) anchored within the pore transiently binds an IgG antibody (light red) passing through the pore. The interaction time can be measured electrically (an exemplary current-versus-time trace is shown at the top of the picture); this reveals the antibody's biological function. A carpet of self-assembled molecules (white hairs) is used to coat the gold pore walls, rendering the surface biologically inert.     «

This artist's rendering shows how single proteins are probed with an artificially engineered nanopore in a metallized solid-state membrane. A primary protein (dark red) anchored within the pore transiently binds an IgG antibody (light red) passing through the pore. The interaction time can be measured electrically (an exemplary current-versus-time trace is shown at the top of the picture); this reveals the antibody's biological function. A carpet of self-assembled molecules (white hairs) is used...     »