Whispering-gallery-mode biosensing: label-free detection down to single molecules.
Optical label-free detectors, such as the venerable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor, are generally favored for their ability to obtain quantitative data on intermolecular binding. However, before the recent introduction of resonant microcavities that use whispering gallery mode (WGM) recirculation, sensitivity to single binding events had not materialized. Here we describe the enhancement mechanisms responsible for the extreme sensitivity of the WGM biosensor, review its current implementations and applications, and discuss its future possibilities.
Vollmer
Frank
F
The Rowland Institute, Harvard University, 100 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.
Arnold
Stephen
S
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D001709:Biotechnology; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance