Nano Spies

In a new study conducted at Harvard University, scientists have created nano ‘wiretap’ spies, a notable advance in nanotechnology. These spies consist of nanowires that serve as transistors, which are then used to increase and pick up on electronic signals. The transistors are extremely small, and are coated in cell membrane. This makes the transistors alluring to the cells that are being targeted. The targeted cells then suck the transistors in, without causing damage to the cell. The transistors can then drift through the cells liberally. They are then able to pick up on signals and sounds, which scientists are then able to listen to. When tested on cells from a chicken’s heart the transistors were able to pick up on and record the changes in the cell’s electric output.

This study relates to the topic of biology because the transistor created was used to learn more about the biological functions that go on in a chicken’s heart. It stands to reason that the same technology could be used to pick up on biological functions that go on in a variety of organisms, including human beings. As biology is the study of organisms, it makes sense that a study to further understand the workings of organisms and what goes on in them is interrelated to it.

Any information pertaining to how our bodies and the bodies of other organisms work should be important to us, due to the fact that despite years and years of research and study, we still do not have all the answers. Any further knowledge or additional information of how the functions in ours bodies work could be vastly important. This study could plausibly give us further insight into the inner workings of our bodies.

Source: Handwerk, Brian. "Nano 'Wiretap' Spies On Cells". National Geographic, August 12, 2010.

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