We are studying the mechanism by which DNA partitions into and threads through single nanometer-scale pores. This experimental and theoretical effort focuses on understanding how genetic information is exchanged between organisms (e.g., between virus and host cells or between bacteria) and on adapting single nanopores for novel biological and biotechnological applications. It was recently shown that the interaction between polymers and a single nanopore provides the physical basis of a multi-analyte sensor. Work is also underway to determine whether this system could be used as tool to rapidly sequence long strands of DNA and RNA.