Real-Time Label-Free Biosensing with Gold Nanoprisms: Towards Advanced Cell Monitoring in Microfluidic Platforms

¹ CNR IMM – Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
² CNR NANOTEC – Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 22 September 2025

Abstract

We present a nanoplasmonic biosensor based on periodic arrays of gold nanoprisms, engineered for high-sensitivity and label-free detection of biomolecular interactions. Integrated within a microfluidic platform, the biosensor is designed to operate under well-controlled culture conditions, enabling real-time analysis of cytokine secretion from live cells. Compared to conventional techniques, our system offers superior sensitivity while simplifying the detection workflow by eliminating the need for fluorescent markers. The optical configuration is fully compatible with standard inverted microscopes, making it ideal for widespread adoption in biological laboratories. Furthermore, the compact and modular design facilitates integration into organ-on-chip systems for monitoring the dynamic behaviour of healthy and diseased cells in co-culture environments, paving the way for advanced biomedical research and personalized diagnostics.