Nanopore-Based Sensors for DNA Sequencing: A Review

Abstract

Nanopore sensors, owing to their distinctive structural properties, can be used to detect biomolecular translocation events. These sensors operate by monitoring variations in electric current amplitude and duration, thereby enabling the calibration and distinction of various biomolecules. As a result, nanopores emerge as a potentially powerful tool in the field of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing. However, the interplay between testing bandwidth and noise often leads to the loss of part critical translocation signals, presenting a substantial challenge in the precise measurement of biomolecules. In this context, innovative detection mechanisms have been developed, including optical detection, tunneling current detection, and nanopore Field-Effect Transistor (FET) detection. These novel detection methods are based on but beyond traditional nanopore techniques and each of them has its unique advantages. Notably, nanopore FET sensors stand out for their high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and high bandwidth measurement capabilities, overcoming the limitations typically associated with traditional solid-state nanopore (SSN) technologies and thus paving new avenues for biomolecule detection. This review begins by elucidating the fundamental detection principles, development history, applications, and fabrication methods of traditional SSNs. It then introduces three novel detection mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on nanopore FET detection. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the advantages and challenges associated with both SSN and nanopore FET sensors are performed respectively, and then providing insights into the future development trajectories of nanopore FET sensors in DNA sequencing. This review has two main purposes: firstly, to provide researchers with a preliminary understanding of the advancements in the nanopore field, and secondly, to offer a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication techniques, transverse current detection principles, challenges, and future development trends in the field of nanopore FET sensors. This comprehensive analysis aims to help researchers with an in-depth insight of the cutting-edge advancements in the field of nanopore FET sensors.