Sequencing of nucleic acids with nanopores has emerged as a powerful tool offering rapid readout, high accuracy, low cost and portability. This label-free method for sequencing at the single-molecule level is an achievement on its own. However, nanopores also show promise for the technologically even more challenging sequencing of polypeptides, something that could considerably benefit biological discovery, clinical diagnostics and homeland security, as current techniques lack portability and speed. Here we survey the biochemical innovations underpinning commercial and academic nanopore DNA/RNA sequencing techniques, and explore how these advances can fuel developments in future protein sequencing with nanopores.

利用纳米孔进行核酸测序已成为一种强大的工具，具有快速读数、高精度、低成本和便携性。这种在单分子水平上进行无标记测序的方法本身就是一项成就。然而，纳米孔还显示出在技术上更具挑战性的多肽测序方面的前景，这可能大大有利于生物发现、临床诊断和国土安全，因为当前技术缺乏便携性和速度。在这里，我们调查了支撑商业和学术纳米孔 DNA/RNA 测序技术的生化创新，并探讨这些进步如何推动未来纳米孔蛋白质测序的发展。