Classification of Epigenetic Biomarkers with Atomically Thin Nanopores

J Phys Chem Lett. 2018 Oct 4;9(19):5718-5725. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b02200. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Abstract

We use the electronic properties of 2D solid-state nanopore materials to propose a versatile and generally applicable biosensor technology by using a combination of molecular dynamics, nanoscale device simulations, and statistical signal processing algorithms. As a case study, we explore the classification of three epigenetic biomarkers, the methyl-CpG binding domain 1 (MBD-1), MeCP2, and γ-cyclodextrin, attached to double-stranded DNA to identify regions of hyper- or hypomethylations by utilizing a matched filter. We assess the sensing ability of the nanopore device to identify the biomarkers based on their characteristic electronic current signatures. Such a matched filter-based classifier enables real-time identification of the biomarkers that can be easily implemented on chip. This integration of a sensor with signal processing architectures could pave the way toward the development of a multipurpose technology for early disease detection.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Methyl CpG Binding Domain
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / chemistry
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanopores*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Semiconductors
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / chemistry

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins
  • DNA
  • gamma-cyclodextrin