3D-printed microfluidic platforms integrating bioorthogonal magnetoplasmonic nanoclusters for analytes separation and SERS-biosensing

The separation of micro/nanoparticles is crucial in biological and chemical applications like cell sorting, DNA purification, and biocatalysis. Advances in microfabrication and lab-on-a-chip technologies have made microfluidic separation increasingly significant in various research areas, thanks to the benefits of microscale effects, including reduced reagent costs, rapid analysis times, and high separation efficiency. When integrated with functional nanomaterials, microfluidic devices can achieve enhanced performance in separation processes. In this study, a 3D printed microfluidic platform was developed to smartly integrate novel hybrid magneto-plasmonic nanoclusters engineered to selectively sort transfected target cells among a heterogeneous population and to detect them at low concentrations through surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Microchannels were designed to maximize the surface area and increase the efficiency of separation, making the SERS-microfluidic chip a powerful and cost-effective approach for the detection of targeted analytes within fluids for diagnostic purposes.