Branton, DanielPershin, Yuriy VDeamer, David WLing, Xinsheng SeanWiggin, MatthewLindsay, StuartKrstic, Predrag SHuang, XiaohuaJovanovich, Stevan BButler, ThomasSoni, Gautam VSchloss, Jeffery ARiehn, RobertHibbs, AndrewTabard-Cossa, VincentWanunu, MeniBayley, HaganMarziali, AndreRamsey, J MichaelMastrangelo, Carlos HMeller, AmitBenner, Steven AOliver, John SGaraj, SlavenDi Ventra, Massimiliano2009-03-142008Branton, Daniel, David W. Deamer, Andre Marziali, Hagan Bayley, Steven A. Benner, Thomas Butler, Massimiliano Di Ventra, et al. 2008. The potential and challenges of nanopore sequencing. Nature Biotechnology 26(10): 1146-1153.1087-0156http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:2664284A nanopore-based device provides single-molecule detection and analytical capabilities that are achieved by electrophoretically driving molecules in solution through a nano-scale pore. The nanopore provides a highly confined space within which single nucleic acid polymers can be analyzed at high throughput by one of a variety of means, and the perfect processivity that can be enforced in a narrow pore ensures that the native order of the nucleobases in a polynucleotide is reflected in the sequence of signals that is detected. Kilobase length polymers (single-stranded genomic DNA or RNA) or small molecules (e.g., nucleosides) can be identified and characterized without amplification or labeling, a unique analytical capability that makes inexpensive, rapid DNA sequencing a possibility. Further research and development to overcome current challenges to nanopore identification of each successive nucleotide in a DNA strand offers the prospect of ‘third generation’ instruments that will sequence a diploid mammalian genome for ~$1,000 in ~24 h.en-USJournal Article10.1038/nbt.1495