University of Oulu Scientists Redefine Nanoparticle Separation in Major Biotech Advance

New University of Oulu method promises major advances in cancer research, diagnostics, and nanomedicine

Scientists at the University of Oulu have developed a groundbreaking technique that could remove one of biotechnology’s biggest roadblocks: the accurate separation of nanoparticles. The new method significantly improves how tiny particles, often thousands of times smaller than a grain of sand are sorted and purified, opening new possibilities for cancer research and medical diagnostics.

In biotechnology, working at the nanoscale is essential, but also extremely difficult. When particles become very small, they move randomly, making them hard to control or separate. This often leads to impurities that can hide critical biological signals. Until now, many existing methods have been slow, unreliable, or too complex for practical use.

The breakthrough comes from a microfluidics research team led by Professor Caglar Elbuken. By combining electric-field-driven fluid motion with the unique behavior of viscoelastic fluids, the researchers created a gentler yet more precise way to guide nanoparticles through standard microchannels. This avoids the need for fragile nanofluidic systems that are prone to clogging and high pressure.

The study, published in Analytical Chemistry, showed impressive results. The new method improved the separation accuracy of synthetic test particles by up to 50%. More importantly, it increased the purity of vesicles released by cancer cells by over 20 percent, an important step for early disease detection and targeted research.

“Controlled separation of nanoparticles is essential in biological research and clinical applications, but current tools often fall short,” said Seyedamirhosein Abdorahimzadeh, the study’s lead author. He added that the technique is faster, more accurate, and easier to scale than existing approaches.

Researchers believe the method could soon be applied to blood testing, cancer diagnostics, studies of cell communication, and future nanomedicine technologies, marking a meaningful leap forward for biotechnology.