Many existing DNA sequencing technologies include the requirement to use fluorescent molecular labels and optical hardware to identify DNA bases. Despite dramatic improvements in throughput and cost in recent years, the cost of DNA sequencing is still relatively high. Costs include reagents, sophisticated instrumentation and project/data management that requires skilled labour.  

Most sequencing methods also require amplification of the DNA before sequencing. This process adds time and expense and can result in amplification errors, leading to inaccurate sequence data. 

Nanopores offer a label-free, electrical, single-molecule DNA sequencing method, obviating the need for amplification or labelling, by detecting a direct electrical signal. While the evolution of other technologies relies on improvements in existing chemical, optical or bioinformatics procedures, nanopores will bypass these to deliver a genuinely revolutionary sequencing method.