Aleksandra Radenovic: Nanopore integrated nanoelectrodes

Nanopore integrated nanoelectrodes for biomolecular manipulation and sensing

In this proposal we aim to address several complex biophysical problems at single molecule level that remained elusive due to the lack of appropriate experimental approach where one could manipulate independently both interacting bio-molecules and in the same time measure the strength of their interaction and correlate it with their electronic signature. In particular we are interested in finding out how biopolymer finds, enters and trans-locates nano-pore. Equally intriguing is still unresolved mechanism of phage DNA ejection. We will also investigate how exactly proteins recognize the target binding places on DNA and if the protein DNA recognition is based on the complementarity of their charge patterns. To allow addressing those biophysical problems we will develop novel experimental framework by integrating electrodes to the nano-pore based force spectroscopy. The proposed strategy will enable two directions of the research: single molecule manipulation and single molecule detection /sensing equally suitable for investigating complex biophysical problems and molecular recognition assays. By exploiting superior sensing and detection capabilities of our devices, we will investigate following practical applications improved nucleotide detection, selective protein detection and protein charge profiling via nanopore unfolding. Unique combination of optical manipulation and nanofluidics could lead to new methods of bio-analysis, mechanical characterization and discrimination between specific and non-specific DNA protein interactions. This research proposal combines nanofabrication, optics, nano/micro-fluidics, electronics, computer programming, and biochemistry

Max ERC funding: 1.44 million Euros
Duration: 60 months
Host institution: EPFL
Project acronym: PORABEL
Domain: Physical and Engineering Sciences