Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting a target molecule are provided herein. The methods entail contacting a sample with a polymer scaffold, the polymer comprising at least one association site configured to associate with the target molecule. The sample is brought into contact with the polymer to determine whether the target molecule is present in the sample under conditions allowing the target molecule, if present, to associate with the polymer scaffold. The methods further involve loading the polymer into a device comprising a pore or channel that connects two volumes, configuring the device to pass the polymer through the pore or channel from one volume to the other volume, and determining, with a sensor configured to detect objects passing through the pore or channel, whether the target molecule is associated with the association site, and thereby detecting the presence or absence of the target molecule in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for detection of target small molecules in a mixed sample by performing a competition assay between the target and a surrogate and subsequently detecting the complex types in a nanopore device. Disclosed herein are competition assays for detection of small molecules using a nanopore. Target molecules of a sufficient size (>20 kDa) when passed through a solid-state nanopore cause a change in the current impedance, translocation time, or other measurable parameter. In the event the target molecule is not sufficiently big, and thus does not cause a noticeable change, an additional molecule/reagent can be used to aid in detection. This detection reagent would bind to the small molecule or to the “capture ligand-molecule complex” (e.g. peptide detection is aided by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes a peptide/aptamer complex).

Abstract: Provided are polymeric scaffold compositions and methods for detecting or quantitating diols such as carbohydrates or carbohydrate containing molecules (e.g., glycosylated protein). Provided herein are capture probes configured to bind to a scaffold. Also provided herein are capture probes linked to one or more reactive organoboronic moiety for binding diol-containing compounds in a solution. Methods of detecting complexes comprising diol-containing compounds for detecting or quantifying the presence of diol-containing compounds in solution using a nanopore device are also provided herein.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising (a) a plurality of chambers, each chamber in communication with an adjacent chamber through at least one pore wherein the device contains at least two pores defined as a first and a second pores, (b) means to move at least a portion of the polymer out of the first pore and into the second pore and (c) at least one sensor capable of identifying individual components of the polymer during movement of the polymer through the first and second pores, provided that when only a single sensor is employed, the single sensor does not include two electrodes placed at both ends of a pore to measure an ionic current across the pore. Methods of using the device are also provided.