Nanopores on-chip for e-health applications | Nanopores on-chip for e-health applications (Carsten Wloka)

We engineer biological nanopores to use them as biosensors to detect health- and environmentally-relevant molecules. The aim is to integrate these sensors into electronic devices for application in point-of-care devices. Furthermore, we are repurposing these pore-forming proteins for anti-cancer therapies.

Glutamine Sensor

We work on a proof-of-concept to measure glutamine in blood using the biological nanopore Cytolysin A (ClyA, grey, depicted) in combination with the substrate binding domain 2 (SBD2, green, depicted), lending its selectivity towards glutamine to the ClyA pore.

Molecular Analysis Needle

Analysing molecular compositions is fundamental for advances in chemistry, biology and medicine. Tiny protein structures called nanopores allow real-time analysis of single molecules. A not-well studied property of these nanopores is that they create strong ion effects. This effect can be used to create a molecular magnet to capture nearby molecules. This project aims to create a sensor smaller than a needle that captures, purifies and measures a wide range of molecules. This “all-in-one” device allows the detection of low concentrations, with many applications and potentially allowing fast and affordable medical diagnostics.

Nanoplastic Detection using Nanopores

Nanoplastics are very small (millionth of a meter scale) polymers originating from, for example, plastic packaging materials (and microplastics). They are not easy to detect, and their health relevance is unclear. Because they are so small, they may be toxic to our cells. We aim to measure them in, for example, drinking water, using biological nanopores.

On Chip-based Anti-Cancer Screening

This project aims to combat cancers by targeting changes in the cancer microenvironment, utilizing a pore-forming toxin.