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Thermodynamic-Kinetic Tailored Photothermal-Responsive Molecular Switching for Extracellular Vesicle Manipulation
Danhua Wang1,2, Bangchao Xi1,2, Yirou Liang1,2
1Institute of Medical Robotics, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, P.R. China.
ACS Nano
|June 25, 2026
Summary
A new system called MORPHEUS enables programmable and reversible isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) using thermoplasmonics. This method preserves EV integrity for improved diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for cell communication and hold potential for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
- Current EV isolation methods face challenges like low specificity, irreversible capture, and damage to vesicle structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel system for programmable and reversible manipulation of EVs.
- To overcome limitations of existing EV isolation techniques by preserving EV integrity.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of the Multifunctional Optically Regulated Plasmonic Heating-Enhanced Ultrasensitive Sensing (MORPHEUS) system.
- Utilizing thermoplasmonics-regulated aptamer switches for controlled EV capture and release.
- Employing spatiotemporal control of localized thermoplasmonic heating to create distinct capture and release windows.
Main Results:
- Achieved 98.94% nondestructive EV recovery through a mild release window.
- Demonstrated accelerated association (3-fold) and dissociation (415-fold) kinetics via thermoplasmonic heating.
- Preserved EV structural integrity, membrane protein activity, and nucleic acid cargo over 30 cycles (CV 3.24%).
- MORPHEUS-enriched EVs showed retained drug-loading capacity and therapeutic efficacy in cellular models.
Conclusions:
- The MORPHEUS system offers programmable and reversible EV manipulation with high recovery and preserved integrity.
- Dual kinetic-thermodynamic regulation via thermoplasmonics enables efficient aptasensing regeneration.
- This platform shows significant potential for advancing EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
