Precise capture and dynamic relocation of nanoparticulate biomolecules through dielectrophoretic enhancement by vertical nanogap architectures

Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 4;11(1):2804. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16630-w.

Abstract

Toward the development of surface-sensitive analytical techniques for biosensors and diagnostic biochip assays, a local integration of low-concentration target materials into the sensing region of interest is essential to improve the sensitivity and reliability of the devices. As a result, the dynamic process of sorting and accurate positioning the nanoparticulate biomolecules within pre-defined micro/nanostructures is critical, however, it remains a huge hurdle for the realization of practical surface-sensitive biosensors and biochips. A scalable, massive, and non-destructive trapping methodology based on dielectrophoretic forces is highly demanded for assembling nanoparticles and biosensing tools. Herein, we propose a vertical nanogap architecture with an electrode-insulator-electrode stack structure, facilitating the generation of strong dielectrophoretic forces at low voltages, to precisely capture and spatiotemporally manipulate nanoparticles and molecular assemblies, including lipid vesicles and amyloid-beta protofibrils/oligomers. Our vertical nanogap platform, allowing low-voltage nanoparticle captures on optical metasurface designs, provides new opportunities for constructing advanced surface-sensitive optoelectronic sensors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Equipment Design
  • Fungi
  • Kinetics
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Osmosis
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Lipids
  • baysilon