Temperature-Driven Precise Control of Biological Droplet's Adhesion on a Slippery Surface

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Controlling biological droplet adhesion on repellent surfaces is crucial for smart antifouling systems.
• Existing stimuli-responsive surfaces lack controllable biological droplet adhesion.
• Challenges persist in designing responsive droplets for tunable adhesion and antifouling properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a thermoresponsive system for precise control of biological droplet adhesion.
• To investigate the role of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in modulating droplet adhesion.
• To enable controllable antifouling properties and liquid manipulation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a lubricant-infused slippery surface.
• Incorporated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) into biological droplets.
• Applied external thermal stimuli to induce reversible ssDNA molecular configuration changes.
• Analyzed changes in exposed hydrophobic moieties and interfacial hydrophobic interactions.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated precise control over biological droplet adhesion using thermal stimuli.
• ssDNA's molecular configuration change under thermal stimuli altered exposed hydrophobic moieties.
• Modulated interfacial hydrophobic interactions between the droplet and the lubricant.
• Achieved tunable adhesion properties for the biological droplet.

Conclusions:

• The developed thermoresponsive system effectively controls biological droplet adhesion on slippery surfaces.
• ssDNA's thermal responsiveness offers a mechanism for tunable interfacial hydrophobic interactions.
• This approach advances understanding of liquid-lubricant adhesion and antifouling systems.
• Presents a promising platform for liquid manipulation in biochips and microreactors.