Specific rare cell capture using micro-patterned silicon nanowire platform

We report on the rapid and direct quantification of specific cell captures using a micro-patterned streptavidin (STR)-functionalized silicon nanowire (SiNW) platform, which was prepared by Ag-assisted wet chemical etching and a photo-lithography process. This platform operates by high-affinity cell capture rendered by the combination of antibody–epithelial cell surface-binding, biotin–streptavidin binding, and the topologically enhanced cell-substrate interaction on a 3-dimensional SiNWs array. In this work, we developed a micro-patterned nanowire platform, with which we were able to directly evaluate the performance enhancement due to nanotopography. An excellent capture efficiency of ~96.6±6.7%, which is the highest value achieved thus far for the targeting specific A549 cells on a selective area of patterned SiNWs, is demonstrated. Direct comparison between the nanowire region and the planar region on the same substrate indicates dramatically elevated cell-capture efficiency on nanotopological surface identical surface chemistry (<2% cell-capture efficiency). An excellent linear response was seen for quantifying captured A549 cells with respect to loaded cells. This study suggests that the micro-patterned STR-functionalized SiNWs platform provides additional advantage for detecting rare cells populations in a more quantitative and specific manner.