Extreme Slowdown of dsDNA and RNA:DNA Hybrids in Solid-state Nanopores for LiCl concentrations above 4 mol/L

Increasing LiCl concentration to 7 mol/L in solid-state nanopores slows translocation of 7.2 kb dsDNA and 3.3 kb RNA:DNA hybrids by {gtrsim} 500% versus 2–3 M.

• Why it matters: Rapid nanopore translocation can blur molecular features, limiting single-molecule resolution. Extending salt conditions tests whether driving force can be reduced to improve sensing performance.
• What they did: The study measured ionic-current translocation of 7.2 kb dsDNA and 3.3 kb RNA:DNA hybrids across LiCl concentrations up to 7 mol/L, tracking mean translocation time and translocation frequency. It also analyzed secondary-peak widths from label-induced signals.
• The result: Mean translocation time increases by {gtrsim} 500% from 2–3 M to 7 M, alongside a decrease in translocation frequency, consistent with reduced effective electric driving force. Secondary peaks induced by labels narrow in relative width, suggesting improved conditions for barcode sensing resolution beyond 4 mol/L.

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