http://www.reddit.com/tb/2ncsqeSorry for the reddit link, I wasn't sure how to just post the actual website, instead of through reddit.
"A tiny, DNA reading device was developed that is a thousands of times smaller than width of a single human hair. The device is sensitive enough to distinguish the individual chemical bases of DNA (known by their abbreviated letters of A, C, T or G) when they are pumped past the reading head. Credit: Michael Northrop, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University"
I am honestly more interested in what was mentioned at the bottom.
"But overall, the research team has developed a scalable manufacturing process to make a device that can work reliably for hours at a time, identifying each of the DNA chemical bases while flowing through the two-nanometer gap.
The research team is also working on modifying the technique to read other single molecules, which could be used in an important technology for drug development."
Im thinking specifically, this technology could be applied for testing alkaloid content in plants.
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." -Thomas Jefferson