Columbia Technology Ventures

Protein sequencing with a cavity-separated multi-nanopore device

This technology is a cavity-separated multi-nanopore device for single-molecule protein sequencing.

Unmet Need: High-throughput and accurate single-molecule protein sequencing

Standard protein sequencing techniques like Edman degradation and mass spectrometry approaches suffer from throughput, sensitivity, and protein size limitations. Newer technologies for next-generation protein sequencing utilize fluorescence technologies that require a previously sequenced protein database and have high error-rates.

The Technology: Nanopore-based fluidic single-molecule protein sequencing approach

This technology is a cavity-separated multi-nanopore (CSMP) device for single-molecule protein sequencing. This CSMP device uses fluidic compartments containing electrolytic solutions and a metal-oxide-semiconductor to measure and record information on ion current modulation and dwell times as the molecule translocates, in order to identify the fragmented peptide. Protein sequencing error is reduced using multiple protein cleavage sites during analysis.

Applications:

  • Diagnostic method for cancer and other diseases
  • Research tool for protein expression analyses
  • High-throughput tool for protein chemistry
  • Drug development

Advantages:

  • Does not depend on pre-existing protein library
  • More accurate sequencing when compared to traditional sequencing methods
  • More time and cost effective than current methods

Lead Inventor:

Kenneth Shepard, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Tech Ventures Reference: