Stochastic nanopore sensors for the detection of terrorist agents: current status and challenges

Anal Chim Acta. 2010 Aug 24;675(2):106-15. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2010.07.001. Epub 2010 Aug 6.

Abstract

Nanopore stochastic sensor works by monitoring the ionic current modulations induced by the passage of analytes of interest through a single pore, which can be obtained from a biological ion channel by self-assembly or artificially fabricated in a solid-state membrane. In this minireview, we overview the use of biological nanopores and artificial nanopores for the detection of terrorist agents including explosives, organophosphorus nerve agents, nitrogen mustards, organoarsenic compounds, toxins, and viruses. We also discuss the current challenge in the development of deployable nanopore sensors for real-world applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Warfare Agents*
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Biosensing Techniques / trends*
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / analysis*
  • Equipment Design
  • Explosive Agents / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nanopores*

Substances

  • Biological Warfare Agents
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Explosive Agents