Cellular lensing and near infrared fluorescent nanosensor arrays to enable chemical efflux cytometry

Nat Commun. 2021 May 25;12(1):3079. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23416-1.

Abstract

Nanosensors have proven to be powerful tools to monitor single cells, achieving spatiotemporal precision even at molecular level. However, there has not been way of extending this approach to statistically relevant numbers of living cells. Herein, we design and fabricate nanosensor array in microfluidics that addresses this limitation, creating a Nanosensor Chemical Cytometry (NCC). nIR fluorescent carbon nanotube array is integrated along microfluidic channel through which flowing cells is guided. We can utilize the flowing cell itself as highly informative Gaussian lenses projecting nIR profiles and extract rich information. This unique biophotonic waveguide allows for quantified cross-correlation of biomolecular information with various physical properties and creates label-free chemical cytometer for cellular heterogeneity measurement. As an example, the NCC can profile the immune heterogeneities of human monocyte populations at attomolar sensitivity in completely non-destructive and real-time manner with rate of ~600 cells/hr, highest range demonstrated to date for state-of-the-art chemical cytometry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Line
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Hydrogen Peroxide