Ready-to-use nanopore platform for ethanolamine quantification using an aptamer-based strand displacement assay

In recent decades, nanopores have become a promising diagnostic tool. Protein and solid-state nanopores are increasingly used for both RNA/DNA sequencing and small molecule detection. The latter is of great importance because small molecules are difficult or expensive to detect using available methods such as HPLC or LC-MS. Moreover, DNA aptamers are an excellent detection element for sensitive and specific detection of small molecules. Here, we describe a method for the quantification of ethanolamine using Oxford Nanopore’s ready-to-use sequencing platform. To this end, we have developed a strand displacement assay using a binding ethanolamine aptamer and magnetic beads. The displaced aptamer can be detected using the MinION® nanopores and analysed/quantified using our in-house developed analysis software.