The present invention is directed to a multiwire nanowire field effect transistor (nwFET) device for the measurement. The device includes a sensing nanowire having a first end and a second end and a nanowire FET having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the sensing nanowire is connected to the nanowire FET to form a node. Additionally, the first end of the nanowire FET is connected to a source electrode, the second end of the nanowire FET is connected to a drain electrode, and the second end of the sensing nanowire is connected to a base electrode. The sensing nanowire is derivatized with a plurality of immobilized capture probes that are specific for a target(s) of interest. The device is used to detect biomolecules or to detect the change in the ionic environment of a sample. In a further embodiment, the sensing nanowire is derivatized with amino, carboxyl or hydroxyl groups. Upon a change in ionic environment, or binding of a molecule to the sensing nanowire, the sensing nanowire curren
