Optothermal Nanotweezers Unlock Single Molecule Level CRISPR Detection

Optothermal nanotweezers, an innovative optical manipulation technique over the past decade, have revolutionized classical optical manipulation by efficiently capturing a broader spectrum of nanoparticles. While this technique has been primarily used for in-situ manipulation of nanoparticles, its potential for identifying bio-nanoparticles remains largely unexplored. Herein, based on the synergistic effects of optothermal manipulation and CRIPSR-based bio-detection, authors developed CRISPR-powered optothermal nanotweezers (CRONT). Specifically, by harnessing diffusiophoresis and thermo-osmotic flows near the substrate upon optothermal excitation, authors successfully trapped and enriched bio-nanoparticles, including gold nanoparticles, CRISPR-associated proteins, as well as DNA molecules.