Denis Garoli, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia e Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
Giovedì 22 gennaio 2026 - ore 11:00
Aula Videoconferenze, DIMA - Via Eudossiana 18, Roma
Link Google Meet: meet.google.com/ita-wuxc-rou
Solid-state nanopores have emerged as versatile artificial analogues of biological ion channels, enabling label-free, single-molecule detection with high temporal resolution. By confining ionic transport to nanometer-scale apertures fabricated in solid membranes, these systems convert molecular translocation events into measurable ionic current signatures. In this talk, I will discuss how solid-state nanopores function as ion channels, highlighting the physical mechanisms governing ionic conductance, noise, and molecule–pore interactions. Particular emphasis will be placed on ionic gating phenomena in solid-state nanopores, where surface charge, electric fields, electrolyte composition, and pore geometry collectively regulate ion transport. We will explore how these gating effects can be engineered and dynamically controlled to enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and signal-to-noise ratio in single-molecule sensing. Examples will include the detection of biomolecules such as DNA, proteins, and small analytes, as well as strategies for slowing translocation and resolving molecular heterogeneity.