A new DNA sensor may read a living cell's messages without breaking it open
Scientists built a tiny DNA device that reaches across a cell's outer skin. When it touches a matching RNA molecule inside, it lights up on the outside while the cell stays alive.
Why it matters
To find out what is happening inside cells, scientists usually have to destroy them first. This early tool hints at a gentler way: reading a cell's chemical messages while it keeps living. If it works reliably, it could help doctors spot diseases like cancer or infections earlier, and let researchers watch cells change in real time. For now it has only been shown in lab-made bubbles and cells in a dish, so real-world use is still far off.
Who's behind it: R. Sasmal, R. F. Hariadi and colleagues, Arizona State University.
Summary by the Lemma AI · how we grade