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Exosomes trapping, manipulation and size-based separation using opto-thermo-electrohydrodynamic tweezers
Chuchuan Hong1,2, Sen Yang1,2, Justus C Ndukaife1,2,3
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Vanderbilt University Nashville TN 37212 USA justus.ndukaife@vanderbilt.edu.
Nanoscale Advances
|June 1, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel opto-thermo-electrohydrodynamic tweezer for stable single exosome trapping. This method uses low laser power to manipulate exosomes by size without causing photo-induced damage.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Exosomes are heterogeneous in size and composition, necessitating advanced methods for single exosome analysis.
- Conventional optical tweezers face challenges in stably trapping exosomes due to their small size and low refractive index, requiring high laser power that can cause photo-induced damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a stable and efficient method for trapping, manipulating, and sorting single exosomes in solution.
- To overcome the limitations of existing optical trapping techniques for exosomes, specifically photo-induced damage and high power requirements.
Main Methods:
- A concentric nanohole array (CNA) system was employed, integrating laser illumination and an alternating current (a.c.) field.
- The CNA generates electrohydrodynamic potentials for stable stand-off trapping of single exosomes away from the laser focus.
- Opto-thermo-electrohydrodynamic principles were utilized for trapping and manipulation.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable trapping of single exosomes within seconds using significantly reduced input laser power (4.2 mW).
- Demonstrated selective dynamic manipulation of exosomes based on their size.
- The trapping occurred in regions of electrohydrodynamic potential, several microns from the laser focus, mitigating direct laser exposure.
Conclusions:
- The proposed opto-thermo-electrohydrodynamic tweezer platform offers a promising approach for stabilizing single exosomes in solution.
- Enables controlled distribution of exosomes based on size without the risk of photo-induced damage.
- This technique advances exosome research by providing a non-damaging method for single exosome manipulation and analysis.
