Oxford Nanopore Technology

Oxford Nanopore uses a unique sequencing technology that allows the sequencing of nucleic acid molecules with lengths that range well above 100,000 bp, although typical genomic DNA samples produce read lengths with N50 values typically in the range of 8,000 to 20,000 bp.  While genomic DNA is often sequenced on an Oxford Nanopore instrument, large PCR products, cDNA and RNA can also be sequenced.  Sample barcoding is available for all library types.  Furthermore, it is possible to determine base modifications.  Currently, 5mC, 5hmC, 6mA, 4mC can be identified for DNA, and m6A, and pseudoU can be detected for RNA.

Oxford Nanopore sequencing makes use of an engineered pore-forming protein that sits in a membrane.  An electric charge is applied across the membrane, and ions flow through the pore resulting in an electrical current.  When a single strand of DNA or RNA passes through the pore, the electrical current is altered according to the bases that are inside the pore.  As the DNA or RNA continues through the pore, the current changes, and the sequence of the nucleic acid is determined based on the changing current signal.