Detection of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in DNA via host–guest interactions inside α-hemolysin nanopores† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5sc01436k Click here for additional data file.

Materials and Methods Materials and characterisation. 1,2-Diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPc) was purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids (Beijing distributor). DNA6 and DNA8 were purchased from Takara Bio Inc. (Dalian) and all the other DNA oligomers were purchased from Sangon Biotech (Shanghai). Micro Bio-Spin P6 gel columns (Tris buffer) were purchased from Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA). All the columns were pre-equilibrated three times with 80 μL deionised water prior to use. All chemicals were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Alfa Aesar and J&K, and used without further purification. All samples and buffers were prepared in deionised water (Millipore, MA). DNA mass spectrometry was analysed on Thermo-Finnigan LCQ Deca XP Plus. HRMS data of new compounds were obtained using Bruker ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF. NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance III 500 spectrometers. FT-IR measurements were performed on a Bruker Tensor27 spectrometer. DNA concentration was measured on Malcom e-spect ES-2.