The object
Mark Akeson co-invented nanopore sequencing, the method embodied in compact instruments that read DNA and RNA molecules through a nanopore. UC Santa Cruz identifies Akeson and David Deamer as the inventors, and its current Nanopore Group page describes Akeson's development of the MinION and PromethION sequencing platforms.
01
What Mark did
Co-invented nanopore sequencing and developed nanopore sequencing platforms for DNA and RNA analysis.
02
Why it matters
Nanopore sequencing made long-read molecular analysis available in portable and bench-top devices, including the MinION.
03
Living-status check
A UC Santa Cruz article from October 2025 identifies Akeson as an emeritus professor and an inventor of nanopore sequencing.