The core component of nanopore sequencing technology is the nanopore itself, which can be either biological (e.g., alpha-hemolysin protein pores) or synthetic (e.g., solid-state nanopores). During sequencing, a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule is driven through the nanopore by an applied electric field. As each nucleotide passes through, it partially blocks the pore, causing a distinct change in the ionic current. These changes are specific to each type of nucleotide, allowing the sequence to be determined in real-time.
