Method and system for linearization and translocation of single protein molecules through nanopores

A method of performing single molecule proteomics, the method comprising:

• containing a fluid in a structure, the structure defining an interior cavity and a barrier dividing the interior cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, the barrier containing a channel structure defining a nanopore therethrough fluidically coupling the first and second chambers, the nanopore having a flow path bounded by an interior surface of the channel structure;
• wherein the fluid includes (i) a protein comprising amino acid residues and, (ii) an agent, the agent capable of enabling stretching and unfolding of the protein;
• binding particles of the agent to the interior surface of the channel structure defining the nanopore to establish bound particles, the bound particles causing the amino acid residues of the protein passing through the flow path of the nanopore to orient themselves as a linear series of amino acid residues;
• applying a voltage gradient between the first chamber and the second chamber via the flow path, the voltage gradient inducing an ionic flow through the flow path of the nanopore;
• observing an electronic signature produced by interactions between ions comprising the ionic flow and the linear series of amino acid residues of the protein passing through the flow path of the nanopore altering the ionic current through the flow path of the nanopore;
• and
• determining a property of the protein based on the observed electronic signature.