A system that can identify DNA bases directly as the DNA moves through a modified protein nanopore could greatly reduce the need for the current expensive equipment and chemicals and reduce lab time from days to hours, investigators at Oxford Nanopore Technologies have found.

Instead of using fluorescent chemical tags, the system sends DNA one letter at a time through a microscopic, biologically engineered hole, or nanopore. An electrical current passed across the hole responds differently to each of the four letters in the genetic code, allowing scientists to accurately read each letter.

Oxford believes its nanopore sequencing could be a contender for the $1,000 scan (the current rate is about $100,000).