Real-Time Label-Free Biosensing with Gold Nanoprisms: Towards Advanced Cell Monitoring in Microfluidic Platforms

We present a nanoplasmonic biosensor based on periodic arrays of gold nanoprisms, engineered for high-sensitivity and label-free detection of biomolecular interactions. Integrated within a microfluidic platform, the biosensor is designed to operate under well-controlled culture conditions, enabling real-time analysis of cytokine secretion from live cells. Compared to conventional techniques, our system offers superior sensitivity while simplifying the detection workflow by eliminating the need for fluorescent markers. The optical configuration is fully compatible with standard inverted microscopes, making it ideal for widespread adoption in biological laboratories. Furthermore, the compact and modular design facilitates integration into organ-on-chip systems for monitoring the dynamic behaviour of healthy and diseased cells in co-culture environments, paving the way for advanced biomedical research and personalized diagnostics.