Photo-switchable supramolecular glycochips for capturing suspension tumor cells and real-time profiling of cell surface glycosylation

Abstract

A photo-switchable supramolecular glycochip was fabricated via host–guest complexation between surface-immobilized azobenzene and galactose-modified pillar[5]arene. This platform captures suspension tumor cells through multivalent carbohydrate–protein interactions for the construction of QCM cell sensors. UV irradiation triggers disassembly of the host–guest complex, enabling reagent-free cell release. The chip regeneration is then achieved by visible light irradiation to restore the trans-azobenzene configuration, followed by re-immersion in Gal-P[5] solution to reform the complex. The system allows real-time analysis of cell surface glycosylation under physiological conditions.