We developed novel dielectric nano-interfaces for biomedical applications. For biosensing, TiO2 metasurfaces avoids the damping loss and heating problems intrinsic to plasmonic sensors. In addition to conventional spectral shift, the imaging-based and colorimetric readouts sidestep the requirements for spectrometer or hyperspectral imaging. By working in the visible spectrum, TiO2 metasurfaces point towards ultra-compact, cost-effective, and eye-perceptible solutions for point-of-care testing. For cell mechanobiology study, TiO2 nanopatterns have minimal fluorescence interference, which are compatible with super-resolution microscopy, and thereby enable mechanistic dissection of molecular-scale signaling events, in conjunction with nanoscale manipulation of important transmembrane receptors in mechanobiology studies.
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