Enabling protein sequencing with tiny nanopores
Official title: Enabling Protein Sequencing Through Friction-Mediated Nanopore Transport
Funded at Electronic Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11414822 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new technology aims to read the exact amino acid sequence of a single protein molecule in real time using tiny protein-based pores.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Electronic Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,291 |
| NIH project number | 1R21GM165253-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11414822 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with autoimmune conditions or related disorders where protein sequencing could improve understanding or management of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without autoimmune diseases or related protein analysis needs may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
Proteins are essential to how our bodies work, and small changes in their amino acid sequences can lead to diseases like autoimmune conditions. This project plans to develop a portable method to read protein sequences directly from individual molecules, overcoming limits of current techniques. It uses specialized nanopores that detect electrical signals as a protein passes through, enabling real-time analysis. If successful, this could simplify protein analysis and help scientists study disease-related proteins more precisely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more accurate protein analysis that may inform diagnosis and personalized approaches to autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous protein sequencing efforts with nanopores show promise, but direct single-molecule reading of proteins remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Electronic Biosciences, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Eric Mayo — Electronic Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Eric Mayo
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.