Detecting Exosomes Specifically With A Multiplexed Device based on Alternating Current Electrohydrodynamic Induced Nanoshearing

Researchers from the University of Queensland report a multiplexed microfluidic device for highly specific capture and detection of multiple exosome targets using a tuneable alternating current electrohydrodynamic (ac-EHD) methodology – referred to as nanoshearing. In this system, electrical body forces generated by ac-EHD act within nanometers of an electrode surface (i.e., within the electrical layer) to generate nanoscaled fluid flow which enhances the specificity of capture and also reduce nonspecific adsorption of weakly bound molecules from the electrode surface. This approach demonstrates the analysis of exosomes derived from cells expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and prostate specific antigen (PSA), and exhibits a 5-fold detection enhancement compared to hydrodynamic flow based assays. The device was also sensitive enough to detect approximately 2750 exosomes/µL (n = 3) and also capable of specifically isolating exosomes from breast cancer patient samples. The researchers believe this approach can potentially find its relevance as a simple and rapid quantification tool to analyze exosome targets in biological applications.