Acoustofluidics-Assisted Fluorescence-SERS Bimodal Biosensors

Area of Science:

• Acoustofluidics
• Biosensing
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Acoustofluidics offers contactless manipulation of micro-/nano-objects.
• Existing biosensors face challenges in sensitivity and sample consumption.
• There is a need for versatile, high-performance biosensing platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bimodal signal amplification platform using acoustofluidics.
• To achieve sensitive immunofluorescent and SERS detection in a single device.
• To demonstrate nanoparticle enrichment for enhanced biosensing.

Main Methods:

• Utilized surface acoustic waves for nanoparticle concentration within a glass capillary.
• Adjusted concentration location (center/perimeter) by varying input frequency.
• Integrated immunofluorescence detection and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensing.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated acoustofluidics-induced enrichment of nanoparticles.
• Achieved enhanced fluorescent output by concentrating analytes at the center.
• Enabled SERS detection by focusing analytes to the perimeter with plasmonic nanostructures.
• Validated performance using nanosized exosomes as proof-of-concept.

Conclusions:

• The developed acoustofluidic chip functions as a bimodal biosensor with sample-enrichment capabilities.
• The platform offers sensitive detection, short processing times, and minimal sample consumption.
• This technology holds significant potential for lab-on-a-chip analysis systems.