‘Fishing’ for biomarkers

Researchers have devised a tiny, nano-sized sensor able to detecting protein biomarkers in a pattern at single-molecule precision. Fittingly coined as ‘hook and bait,’ a tiny protein binder fuses to a small gap created within the membrane of a cell — referred to as a nanopore ­– which permits ionic answer to circulate by means of it. When the sensor acknowledges a focused molecule, the ionic circulate adjustments. This alteration in circulate serves because the sign from the sensor that the biomarker has been discovered.