Breakthrough in Radiation Measurement: NIST Develops New Nanopore Technology

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a novel method for measuring how radiation damages DNA molecules, a technique that could lead to improved radiation therapy for cancer and more personalized care in radiological emergencies. This technology leverages the use of nanopores to detect radiation damage much faster and more accurately than existing methods. "With nanopore sensing, we're not just measuring radiation damage; we're rewriting the rules on how quickly and effectively we can respond to both cancer care and emergencies," said NIST physical scientist Joseph Robertson.

Key Takeaways:

• The new technique, published in Analytical Chemistry, uses nanopores to measure radiation damage to DNA, producing results within minutes rather than days with higher accuracy than previously achievable.
• The method is particularly effective for measuring doses between 2 Gy and 10 Gy, a crucial range of radiation exposure in humans that necessitates immediate medical care.
• The technology could lead to improved radiation therapy for cancer, allowing doctors to adjust treatments to ensure the right dosage and tailor therapies more precisely to each patient.
• In radiological emergencies, the ability to quickly assess radiation exposure is crucial, and this new technology could transform responses to radiation emergencies.
• Researchers are collaborating with industry partners to develop a portable version of the technology, potentially making it as small and affordable as a smartphone.
• This technology not only signifies a substantial advance in measuring DNA damage but also underscores NIST's commitment to enhancing public health and safety through innovative science.

Statistics:

• Existing methods for measuring radiation damage take at least two days to count dead cells or three days to culture cells to detect chromosomal abnormalities.
• The new technique can produce results within minutes, with significantly higher accuracy than previously achievable.
• The technology is particularly effective for measuring doses between 2 Gy and 10 Gy, which is a crucial range of radiation exposure in humans.
• A gray (Gy) is a unit that expresses the amount of radiation energy absorbed by the body or an object per kilogram of mass.

Sources:

• Paper: Michael Lamontagne, Shannon M. Newell, Ileana Pazos, Ronald Tosh, Jerimy Polf, Michael Zwolak, and Joseph W.F. Robertson. Single-molecule biodosimetry. Analytical Chemistry. Published online Aug. 20, 2025. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03303.