Nanochannel technology based on ionic current rectification has emerged as a powerful tool
for the detection of biomolecules owing to unique advantages. Nevertheless, existing
nanochannel sensors mainly focus on the detection of targets in solution or inside the cells,
moreover, they only have a single function, greatly limiting their application. Herein, we
fabricated SuperDNA self-assembled conical nanochannel, which was clamped in the middle
of self-made device for two functions: online detecting living cells released TNF-α and
studying intercellular communication. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane incubated
tumor associated macrophages and tumor cells was rolled up and inserted into t... More
Nanochannel technology based on ionic current rectification has emerged as a powerful tool
for the detection of biomolecules owing to unique advantages. Nevertheless, existing
nanochannel sensors mainly focus on the detection of targets in solution or inside the cells,
moreover, they only have a single function, greatly limiting their application. Herein, we
fabricated SuperDNA self-assembled conical nanochannel, which was clamped in the middle
of self-made device for two functions: online detecting living cells released TNF-α and
studying intercellular communication. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane incubated
tumor associated macrophages and tumor cells was rolled up and inserted into the left and right
chamber of the device, respectively. Through monitoring the ion current change in the
nanochannel, tumor associated macrophages released TNF-α could be in situ and noninvasive
detected with a detection limit of 0.23 pg/mL. Furthermore, the secreted TNF-α induced
epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells in the right chamber was also studied.
The presented strategy displayed outstanding performance and multi-function, providing a
promising platform for in situ non-destructive detection of cell secretions and related
intercellular communication analysis
