Systems and methods of using anisotropic nanostructures in microfluidic devices for binding and optional release of molecules and cells

A microfluidic device for the selective capture and release of cells comprising:

• one or more microfluidic channels or capillaries having one or more inner surfaces functionalized with a plurality of in-situ grown gold anisotropic nanostars disposed thereon, wherein the gold anisotropic nanostars exhibit plasmonic activity in one or more wavelength ranges and further comprise a capture ligands specific to a specific type of cell:
• one or more pumps configured to pump a sample containing the cells through the one or more microfluidic channels or capillaries, wherein at least some of the cells adhere to the capture ligands;
• and
• a light source configured to deliver a focused beam of light onto the one or more inner surfaces functionalized with the plurality of in-situ grown gold anisotropic nanostars, wherein the focused beam of light is configured to produce localized heating on the gold anisotropic nanostars, which is configured to cause conformation changes in the gold anisotropic nanostars to release the at least some of the cells that adhere to the capture ligands.