Trapping, characterization and reactions of biocolloids in a salinity gradient

The properties of soft matter nanoparticles like exosomes are interesting for drug delivery and diagnostics applications. However, the simultaneous characterization of multiple properties, e.g., size and zeta potential, can only be done serially and is highly sensitive to the purification prior to characterization. Here we show how a salt gradient established in a nanofluidic channel induces opposing transport of particles and liquid that trap the particles. Particles are thus accumulated in the trap. We show how optical microscopy images of the particle positions in the salinity gradient provide a measurement of the size and surface charge. We demonstrate the method on a sample of exosomes and on individual particles. Finally, we show how biomolecular reactions at the surface of the nanoparticle can be detected from the optical microscopy analysis of the particles’ trapping position.