A label-free optical system with a nanohole array biosensor for discriminating live single cancer cells from normal cells

Abstract Developing a simple, fast, and label-free method for discrimination between live cancer cells normal in biological samples still remains challenge. Here, system is described that fulfills these features to analyze individual living cells. The consists of gold nanohole array biosensor plus microscope optical design isolate the spectral response single cell. It demonstrated differences behavior tumor (colorectal cell lines primary from colorectal tissue) non-tumor (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, skin fibroblasts colon epithelial cells) are influenced by actin cortex, which lies within short penetration depth surface plasmon electromagnetic field. efficacy this was assessed analysis about one thousand showing highest capacity surgical specimens, with values sensitivity specificity ranging 80–100% 87–100%, respectively. also highly reduced disrupting formation cortex. This plasmonic may find wide applications biomedicine study key cellular processes involve including proliferation, differentiation, migration.