Researchers Reshaped Nanopores With Designed Proteins

Scientists at UCSF and Oxford Nanopore Technologies installed a synthetic protein into a pore to modify its inner lumen.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Biotech

A close-up macro view of a molecular nanopore channel with a synthetic protein anchor embedded in its center. — Researchers at UCSF and Oxford Nanopore Technologies have successfully modified a CsgG nanopore lumen by integrating a de novo designed synthetic protein. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Researchers at the University of California San Francisco and Oxford Nanopore Technologies have successfully installed a de novo designed protein inside a CsgG nanopore. This experiment demonstrated that a synthetic protein component could be used to reshape the lumen of an existing pore from within.

Why it matters

The study sought to determine if engineered protein components can function effectively under the extreme confinement of a nanopore. This success marks a step forward in modular protein engineering for potential future sequencing and sensing applications.

The team grafted a de novo designed protein component onto a natural anchoring segment to facilitate installation. The synthetic component was placed directly inside an existing CsgG nanopore previously engineered for sequencing tasks.

The players

University of California San Francisco

This is a leading public research university based in San Francisco that specializes in health sciences and biotechnology research.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

This is a biotechnology company that develops nanopore-based electronic systems for the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

The details

By grafting a synthetic protein onto a natural anchoring segment, the researchers successfully forced the component into the constrained environment of a CsgG pore. This process confirmed that complex, designed proteins can be integrated into existing structures to alter their physical dimensions.

The findings were published in October 2026.

Alzheimer’s
Oct. 2
Rainwater Foundation Funded Tau Biology Research

The Tech Race

This research builds upon the established framework of CsgG nanopore sequencing technology to push the boundaries of molecular structural modification. By successfully integrating de novo proteins, the team is working toward a future where pore apertures are highly customizable for sensing.

While currently in a research phase, this advancement suggests a future for more precise and versatile DNA or protein sequencing devices. Users and developers in the biotech industry could eventually benefit from hardware that offers greater sensitivity through customized nanopore geometries.

The takeaway

This study highlights the potential for using synthetic biology to physically modify the internal architecture of nanoscale sensors. Scientists can now look toward designing custom protein inserts to optimize existing diagnostic tools for higher resolution performance.