Abstract: A method of reducing the limit of detection in a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW) includes the steps of: attaching a plurality of DNA segments to a detection surface of a SAW; performing a CRISPR/Cas9 preparation of the DNA segments to cut and splice a selected protein into at least one of a plurality of the DNA segments; conjugating a nanoparticle to the selected protein; and measuring the number of DNA segments with conjugated nanoparticles using a surface acoustic wave sensor (SAW). The nanoparticle may be modified to form a single electron transistor (SET) which generates a detectable signal in response to RF or ultrasonic excitation which is indicative of binding of the corresponding nanoparticle to a selected target analyte.