"Nanopore-Electronic Hybrid Device Revolutionizes Disease Detection"
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and MIT have developed a bioprotonic system that combines electronic components with biological components to detect biomolecules indicating the presence of human disease. The system utilizes a DNA nanopore, created through DNA origami, which acts as a channel for protons. The device translates the proton signal into an electronic signal, allowing researchers to detect the presence of biomolecules. The researchers demonstrated the system's potential for detecting B-type natriuretic peptide, an indicator of cardiac disease, and envision the device being able to detect multiple types of biomolecules in the future.