Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed nano-sized sensors that can measure the flow of heat in and out of living cells with unprecedented precision. The sensors, which are made of a material called graphene, are only a few atoms thick and can be placed directly on the surface of a cell without damaging it.

This breakthrough technology is expected to provide valuable insights into how cells regulate their temperature, which is critical for many cellular processes. For example, changes in cellular temperature have been linked to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other health conditions.

"This is a powerful new tool that will allow us to study the role of heat in cell biology in unprecedented detail," said study lead author Dr. Michael Therien. "We hope that this will lead to new treatments for diseases that are caused by abnormal cellular temperatures."

The researchers tested the sensors by placing them on the surface of living human skin cells. They found that the sensors could accurately measure the flow of heat in and out of the cells, even when the temperature changes were very small.

"We were able to measure temperature changes as small as a thousandth of a degree Celsius," said Dr. Therien. "This is a much higher level of precision than any other method that is currently available."

The researchers believe that the nano-sized sensors could be used to study a wide variety of biological processes, including the role of heat in cell division, migration, and differentiation. They also hope to use the sensors to develop new treatments for diseases that are caused by abnormal cellular temperatures.

"This is a very exciting new technology with a wide range of potential applications," said Dr. Therien. "We are eager to see what we can learn from it in the years to come."

The study was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.