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Involves
squeezing a DNA sequence
between two oppositely charged fluid reservoirs, separated by an extremely
small channel. Essentially itty bitty tiny holes. Nanoscopic pores found in
purpose-built filters, sensors, or diffraction gratings to make them function
better. See Influencing structure in the heart of nanoland. As activated carbon, they may also be used as an alternative fuel
storage medium, due to their massive internal surface area. "Scientists
believe nanopores,
tiny holes that allow DNA to pass through one strand at a time, will make DNA
sequencing more efficient." See Understanding Nanodevices
-- Nanopores.
In biology, they are "complex protein
assemblies that span cell
membranes
and allow ionic transport across the otherwise impermeable lipid bilayer. Nanopores
are important because while some pores help maintain cell homeostasis, others disrupt cell function." See Towards Fabrication of Solid-State
Mimics of Biological Nanopores.
"A nanopore
can be a protein
channel in a lipid
bilayer or an extremely small isolated 'hole' in a thin, solid-state membrane"
such that "DNA and RNA, can be registered and characterized singly
..." See Developing Nanopores
as Probes and The Nanopore
Project.
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