Solid-state nanopore sensing: the next workhorse of biophysical characterization.

Solid-state nanopores are poised to become essential tools for studying complex biological and synthetic macromolecular structures, surpassing their current role in sequencing.

• Why it matters: Understanding supramolecular chemistry is crucial for advancing biology and materials science, yet current methods lack the versatility and tunability needed for detailed analysis of these structures.
• What they did: The authors review the advantages of solid-state nanopores, emphasizing their size-tunability and functionalization, and discuss their potential applications beyond sequencing, including drug screening and protein engineering.
• The result: Advances in nanopore technology will enable new insights into macromolecular assemblies, opening pathways for innovative research in biophysics, medicine, and synthetic systems.