Electrical detection of pesticide vapors by biological nanopores with DNA aptamers

This paper describes a vapor detecting system that applies two robust biological elements: A biological nanopore formed in a lipid bilayer and a DNA aptamer. The principle of the sensor is as follows: 1) DNA aptamer selectively captures the target molecules, 2) builds up a molecular complex larger than the nanopore size, and 3) inhibits the ionic current through the nanopore by blocking. We integrated these biological molecules into a previously developed device. A feasibility test was performed using a vapor phase sample, an organophosphorus pesticide, and represented the results demonstrating long-and-deep current blockades with the presence of the omethoate.