Biomolecular devices

A method for data acquisition and/or processing, which method includes the steps of:

• providing a macromolecular structure having at least one biomolecule analyte binding site, and having at least one ion binding site, and flippable between a plurality of discretely different conformations corresponding to different ion binding conditions at said at least one ion binding site,
• at least in the absence of any binding to said biomolecule analyte binding site, said macromolecular structure being provided with at least one electrochemical input device formed and arranged for applying such different ion binding conditions to said ion binding site in response to corresponding external input signals, and said macromolecular structure being in a first said conformation;
• and
• applying an external input signal to said at least one input device so as to change the ion binding conditions at said ion binding site so that said macromolecular structure is flipped from said first conformation to a second said conformation.

A method for detecting a target biomolecule analyte, which method comprises the steps of:

• providing a macromolecular structure having at least one biomolecule analyte binding site formed and arranged for binding to a said target biomolecule analyte, and having at least one ion binding site, and flippable between a plurality of discretely different conformations corresponding to different ion binding conditions at said at least one ion binding site, at least in the absence of any binding to said biomolecule analyte binding site, said macromolecular structure being provided with at least one electrochemical input device formed and arranged for applying such different ion binding conditions to said ion binding site in response to corresponding external input signals;
• contacting said macromolecular structure with a sample containing a biomolecule analyte;
• and
• probing said macromolecular structure for the presence of biomolecule analyte bound to said biomolecule analyte binding site.