Biochip based on arrays of switchable magnetic nano-traps

•Magnetic biochips based on switchable magnetic nano-traps were developed.•They were optimized so as to enable faster bio-assays via a reduction of steps and the efficient capture of analytes in a sample test solution.•The presence of synthetic peptides trapped on the magnetic wire was revealed via fluorescently labeled immunoglobulins. Magnetic biochips based on switchable magnetic nano-traps were developed and optimized so as to enable faster bio-assays via a reduction of steps and the efficient capture of analytes in a sample test solution. Nano-traps are based on snake shaped magnetic nanowires made by microelectronic technics from a thin magnetic layer. This optimized design ensures high local fields when the trap is activated and reduced stray fields when deactivated with respect to previous designs. Our proof-of-concept model consists to determine the anchorage of synthetic peptides in a bilayer enveloping magnetic beads by revealing their presence via fluorescently labeled immunoglobulins elicited against the native proteins of the said exposed peptides.