Modeling nanopores for sequencing DNA

Methods Mol Biol. 2011:749:317-58. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-142-0_22.

Abstract

Using nanopores to sequence DNA rapidly and at a low cost has the potential to radically transform the field of genomic research. However, despite all the exciting developments in the field, sequencing DNA using a nanopore has yet to be demonstrated. Among the many problems that hinder development of the nanopore sequencing methods is the inability of current experimental techniques to visualize DNA conformations in a nanopore and directly relate the microscopic state of the system to the measured signal. We have recently shown that such tasks could be accomplished through computation. This chapter provides step-by-step instructions of how to build atomic scale models of biological and solid-state nanopore systems, use the molecular dynamics method to simulate the electric field-driven transport of ions and DNA through the nanopores, and analyze the results of such computational experiments.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / analysis*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanopores*
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*

Substances

  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • DNA