Periodic Reporting for period 4 - AMPHIBIANS (All Optical Manipulation of Photonic Metasurfaces for Biophotonic Applications in Microfluidic Environments)
Período documentado: 2023-08-01 hasta 2025-01-31
Most biological experiments in research laboratory settings that use light follow two general principles: getting as close as possible to the object under examination and structuring light and/or matter at the same length scale. However, these techniques typically use microscope objectives which enable interaction with the biological environment as if looking through a keyhole.
With AMPHIBIANS we surpassed this limitation, with a new experimental platform based on photonic metasurfaces.
Photonic metasurfaces are nano-textured surfaces and are the most advanced and versatile photonic tools available to date. They can be realised on the microscope slide to shape light in an optimal configuration for the experiment at hand. They can also be introduced in the microfluidic environment as suspended membranes and optically trapped to increase the ease of interaction with biological specimens of interest. These membranes offer intrinsic mechanical stability superior to standard optical manipulation assays and additionally can host a tailored photonics response.
The project has the broad objectives of validating the platform and demonstrating new applications in imaging, DNA and cell biology.
With AMPHIBIANS we surpassed this limitation, with a new experimental platform based on photonic metasurfaces.
Photonic metasurfaces are nano-textured surfaces and are the most advanced and versatile photonic tools available to date. They can be realised on the microscope slide to shape light in an optimal configuration for the experiment at hand. They can also be introduced in the microfluidic environment as suspended membranes and optically trapped to increase the ease of interaction with biological specimens of interest. These membranes offer intrinsic mechanical stability superior to standard optical manipulation assays and additionally can host a tailored photonics response.
The project has the broad objectives of validating the platform and demonstrating new applications in imaging, DNA and cell biology.
The project has followed the planned development through the anticipated work packages. We successfully developed an experimental setup based on a holographic trapping scheme that creates many trapping laser spots and established and optimised the fabrication of membranes and holographic metasurfaces at multiple scales, both in terms of dimensions and sample volumes. Adjustments to the project plans due to the pandemic delayed the implementation of the second phase, focusing on applying the new platform to living cells and DNA. However, we managed to achieve most of the key original objectives and made substantial progress in all research directions identified at the application stage, partly thanks to a one-year no-cost extension of the project. Additionally, these adjustments allowed us to explore parallel lines of research, primarily focused on the extended use of holographic metasurfaces for imaging and sensing applications. We also pursued exciting new research avenues not anticipated at the time of application, beyond the immediate scope of biophotonics. These activities were supported by proof-of-concept grants, which are currently driving our translation efforts beyond the project's natural timeline. The results are compiled in 20 peer-reviewed articles in international journals and over 20 contributions to conferences, workshops, and invited presentations to societies, institutions, and the general public.
AMPHIBIANS has demonstrated a large number of breakthroughs in the field of photonic metasurfaces for biophotonic applications and beyond, as detailed in the achievement section. The main highlight is the successful demonstration of a new platform based on metasurfaces to interact with biological specimens. Examples include the demonstration that metalenses can mediate on-chip optical trapping of the same quality as enabled by bulk and expensive microscope objectives, and the ability to image and sense biological analytes in compact and inexpensive arrangements.