BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology develops nanopore sensors for disease detection

Researchers at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Kerala, India, have developed self-assembling synthetic nanopores capable of distinguishing between healthy and mutated proteins in real time. This breakthrough, published in Nature Nanotechnology, offers a potential new method for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The technology utilizes programmable molecular tunnels that can adjust their diameter. By incorporating a non-natural amino acid into a designed peptide, the team created sensors that can switch between small and large diameters. Larger pores are effective at analyzing α-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson’s, while smaller pores can detect peptides linked to ALS.

Unlike conventional methods such as ELISA tests or mass spectrometry, which often require larger samples and struggle to detect proteins at extremely low concentrations, these nanopores achieve nanomolar sensitivity. This allows for the analysis of individual molecules and the identification of specific mutations even within heterogeneous mixtures.