Nanopore Technology: Revolutionizing Disease Diagnosis and Real-Time Genetic Sequencing
Nanopore Technology: Revolutionizing Disease Diagnosis and Real-Time Genetic Sequencing
Content
Introduction:
Scientists have developed a nanopore-based tool capable of diagnosing illnesses with greater speed and precision by analyzing molecular signals in real time.What is Nanopore Technology?
- Refers to nano-scale holes embedded in thin membranes that detect potential changes as charged biological molecules (e.g., DNA or RNA) pass through these holes.
- It allows direct sequencing of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) from biological samples without complex preparation.
How It Works:
- Biological molecules passing through the nanopore cause changes in the electrical signal.
- These signals are analyzed to determine the molecular structure or genetic sequence.
Applications:
- Genetic Sequencing: Enables fast, real-time DNA/RNA sequencing for genetic research and clinical diagnostics.
- Disease Marker Detection: Detects biomarkers associated with diseases at an early stage.
- Cancer Diagnosis: Aids in non-invasive early diagnosis of cancer by identifying circulating tumor DNA.
- Infectious Disease Monitoring: Enables rapid pathogen identification, crucial for outbreak control.
Advantages:
- Faster, real-time diagnostics.
- High precision with minimal sample preparation.
- Non-invasive and cost-effective.
Nanopore technology is a promising tool for revolutionizing disease diagnosis and genetic research.
