Membrane-spanning nanopores

US11485995B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• UCL Business Ltd · GB

Inventors

• Stefan Howorka · London, GB
• Genevieve PUGH · London, GB
• Jonathan Richard BURNS · London, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 9, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6825
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A membrane-spanning nanopore is provided that comprises: i. at least one scaffold polynucleotide strand; ii. a plurality of staple polynucleotide strands; and iii. at least one hydrophobically-modified polynucleotide strand, wherein the at least one hydrophobically-modified polynucleotide strand comprises a polynucleotide strand and a hydrophobic moiety; wherein each of the plurality of staple polynucleotide strands hybridises to the at least one scaffold polynucleotide strand to form the three-dimensional structure of the membrane-spanning nanopore, and wherein the at least one hydrophobically-modified polynucleotide strand hybridises to a portion of the at least one scaffold polynucleotide strand, the membrane-spanning nanopore defining a central channel with a minimum internal width of at least about 5 nm. Membranes comprising the membrane-spanning nanopore and applications of those membranes are also provided.