Metasurfaces for Quantitative Biosciences of Molecules, Cells, and Tissues: Sensing and Diagnostics

Metasurfaces have revolutionized optical biosensing and diagnostic assays due to their sensitivity, compactness, and label-free operation. However, metasurface applications in analyzing complex biological systems and quantum bioscience phenomena remain scarce. In this Perspective, we discuss current developments in metasurface biosensors and propose promising future applications for probing or adopting quantum bioscience effects and improving spatial omics analysis in live cells and tissues. We discuss the capabilities of the current metasurface platforms for monitoring relevant biomarkers of viral diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. Metasurface-empowered examination of cell morphology and secretome, virus detection, and tissue imaging can improve the accuracy of early diagnosis. Furthermore, we review device-integration approaches for point-of-care testing settings that could constitute pathways toward technology commercialization. Altogether, we provide a perspective for exploring metasurface applications in precision health and medicine.