Light-Programmable Nanograspers for Rapid NanoplasticsDetection in Biological Fluids

Nanoplastics smaller than 400 nanometers can penetrate biological barriers and accumulate in tissues, a phenomenon sparking widespread concern in toxicology and public health. Studies show these ultra-small particles may induce multi-systemic toxicity, including brain and nervous system damage, cardiovascular dysfunction, reproductive risks, as well as cellular and gastrointestinal toxicity. Finding trace amounts of nanoplastics in complex, high-viscosity matrices like blood or serum—which are packed with proteins and inorganic salts—is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, and traditional analytical tools often fall short. The excessively long sample preparation times and a lack of detection sensitivity for ultra-micro particles represent massive technical roadblocks for current environmental toxicology and clinical assessments (as shown in Figure 1).