Highly sensitive and selective DNA-based detection of mercury(II) with α-hemolysin nanopore

The duplex formation mediated by Hg ²⁺ in a properly designed ssDNA generates a stable hairpin structure, which greatly alters the translocation profile of the ssDNA through α-hemolysin nanopore. From the 2D-events contour plot, the presence of Hg ²⁺ can be confirmed in as little as 30 min at ∼7 nM or higher. The sensor is highly selective to Hg ²⁺, without interference from other metal ions. It can be fabricated from readily available materials, without the processes of synthesis, purification, probe-making, and so forth. This sensing strategy opens new possibilities for detecting many types of analytes which have specific interactions with DNA molecules.