We present an optical trapping platform that replicates the ease and precision of macroscopic level manipulation, such as holding, observing, squeezing, rotating, and probing biological specimens in microfluidic environments. Most modern biophotonics techniques tend to structure light or the local environment at scales comparable with that of the biological specimens under examination. However, the versatility of photonic functions that can be realized is often limited by the finite numerical aperture of the microscope objective used to access the samples. Lab-on-chip solutions, coupled with optical tweezing, offer appealing alternatives to this configuration. Here, we present a new biophotonic platform that integrates metasurface technology into the microfluidic environment. These artificial two-dimensional materials are extremely versatile, and their photonic response can be tailored to specific experimental requirements. Here we show that we can use photonic metasurfaces to create environment-dependent holographic imaging devices and create optical trapping potentials with efficiency comparable to that of high NA objectives. Additionally, we show that miniaturized metasurfaces suspended in the microfluidic chamber are extremely stable when trapped optically and can be used effectively to explore and interact with their surroundings. This innovative platform will have transformative benefits for microscopy and biophotonic applications at the interface of molecular and cell biology.
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