Nanoporous silica colloidal films with molecular transport gated by aptamers responsive to small molecules

Abstract

We report the preparation of colloidal nanoporous silica films whose function mimics that of protein channels in gating the transport of small molecules across a cell membrane. Specifically, we report a means of controlling the molecular flux through colloidal nanopores that employ aptamer oligonucleotides binding to a specific organic small molecule (cocaine). These biomacromolecules have been introduced onto the nanopore surface by attaching pre-made oligonucleotides to the activated nanopore surface. The aptamers change their conformation in response to the binding events, and thus alter the free volume of the colloidal nanopores available for molecular transport.