Nanoprobe

Nanoprobes assimilating blood cells.

Nanoprobes are microscopic robotic devices designed by the Borg for the primary purpose of assimilation. Injected into a target's bloodstream via assimilation tubules, the nanoprobes immediately begin to take over the host cells' functions. Nanoprobes can be also be modified for a variety of medical and technical tasks. (VOY: "Scorpion, Part I")

Each drone's nanoprobes have a unique encoding sequence. (VOY: "One")

In 2374, The Doctor was able to modify nanoprobes as an offensive weapon against Species 8472. He reprogrammed them to mimic the alien cells' electrochemical signatures, so that they could evade detection by Species 8472's immune system while continuing to assimilate. These nanoprobes could be delivered inside a photon torpedo or along a phaser beam. {VOY: "Scorpion, Part I, Scorpion, Part II, Prey")

Nanoprobes can also be modified to attack specific cells which contains a virus or some other disease and so help the patient recover.

Since bio-neural circuitry is organic in nature, nanoprobes can also be used to influence or disable this type of circuitry. (VOY: "Warhead")

Borg nanoprobes are worth a lot on the market. Ferengi marauders once attempted to get Seven of Nine's nanoprobes by killing the crew of Voyager so that they could sell the technology. (VOY: "Inside Man")

See also

• Nanite
• Nanoprobe virus