Editors’ Choice—Perspective—Deciphering the Glycan Kryptos by Solid-State Nanopore Single-Molecule Sensing: A Call for Integrated Advancements Across Glyco- and Nanopore Science

Abstract

Glycans, or complex carbohydrates, are information-rich biopolymers critical to many biological processes and with considerable importance in pharmaceutical therapeutics. Our understanding, though, is limited compared to other biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. The greater complexity of glycan structure and the limitations of conventional chemical analysis methods hinder glycan studies. Auspiciously, nanopore single-molecule sensors—commercially available for DNA sequencing—hold great promise as a tool for enabling and advancing glycan analysis. We focus on two key areas to advance nanopore glycan characterization: molecular surface coatings to enhance nanopore performance including by molecular recognition, and high-quality glycan chemical standards for training.