Nanobiosensors use biological components on the nano-scale to detect target molecules. They consist of a bioreceptor element for molecular recognition connected to a transducer that converts the biological response into a measurable signal. Common transduction methods include optical, electrochemical and mechanical. Examples are nanowire field effect sensors that detect binding as a change in electrical conductivity, and cantilever sensors that detect binding as a change in resonant frequency through surface stress. Nanobiosensors show potential for applications in healthcare diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and more.