UCLA-Led Team Develops Sensors Mimicking Natural Biochemistry

A UCLA-led team has developed an advanced sensor platform that measures metabolites — key molecules involved in sustaining life through metabolism — inside the body in real time. By mimicking natural metabolic pathways and using biological molecular toolkits, the sensors can track thousands of metabolites, far beyond the small set detectable by traditional sensors, while simplifying the technology development process. This advance opens up new possibilities for diagnosing and managing disease, developing new drugs and unlocking deeper insights into how biological systems function.