Effects of graphene nanopore geometry on DNA sequencing

In this Letter we assess the effect of graphene nanopore geometries on DNA sequencing by considering DNA fragments including A, T, C, G, and 5-methylcytosine (MC) pulled out of graphene nanopores of different geometries with diameters down to ∼1 nm. Using steered molecular dynamics simulations it is demonstrated that the bases (A, T, C, G, and MC) can be indentified at single-base resolution through the characteristic peaks on the force profile in a circular graphene nanopore but not in nanopores with other asymmetric geometries. Our study suggests that the graphene nanopore surface should be modified as symmetrically as possible in order to sequence DNA by atomic force microscopy or optical tweezers.