Single-molecule study of proteins by biological nanopore sensors.

Nanopore technology has been developed for detecting properties of proteins through monitoring of ionic current modulations as protein passes via a nanosize pore. As a real-time, sensitive, selective and stable technology, biological nanopores are of widespread concern. Here, we introduce the background of nanopore researches in the area of α-hemolysin (α-HL) nanopores in protein conformation detections and protein-ligand interactions. Moreover, several original biological nanopores are also introduced with various features and functions.