Label-free detection of proteins with optofluidic hollow-core photonic crystal fibre sensors

Jan R. Heck; Ermanno Miele; Ralf Mouthaan; Michael H. Frosz; Tuomas P. J. Knowles; Tijmen G. Euser

doi:10.1117/12.2643905

22 May 2023 Label-free detection of proteins with optofluidic hollow-core photonic crystal fibre sensors

Jan R. Heck, Ermanno Miele, Ralf Mouthaan, Michael H. Frosz, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Tijmen G. Euser

Proceedings Volume 12327, SPIE Future Sensing Technologies 2023; 1232709 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2643905
Event: SPIE Future Sensing Technologies, 2023, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

We review how optofluidic hollow-core photonic crystal fibres (HC-PCF) can be integrated with in-line microfluidic circuits to achieve sensitive, label-free detection of proteins at low concentrations.[1] Proteins are the key building blocks of life, and sensing proteins is a challenging problem encountered across disciplines, from the study of fundamental interactions in biophysics to clinical applications in medicine. As nanometer-sized objects of low refractive index contrast, they are difficult to detect but have to be quantified to high precision. Because of their biological origin, they are also resource-intensive to synthesise or extract, requiring sensors to be capable of detecting small sample volumes at low concentrations. A key development in studying proteins came with the development of bright fluorescent markers known as labels. They revolutionised the field by adding fluorophores to the proteins either through genetic engineering or by chemical staining. However, increasing evidence shows that these labels alter protein behaviour, necessitating new sensing technologies. Hollow-core fibre-based sensors confine light into sub-microliter volumes while achieving high light-matter interaction over long path lengths. This enables them to achieve higher sensitivity compared to conventional non-waveguiding geometries. Here, we discuss our recent advances in realising this system experimentally and highlight future directions.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jan R. Heck, Ermanno Miele, Ralf Mouthaan, Michael H. Frosz, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, and Tijmen G. Euser "Label-free detection of proteins with optofluidic hollow-core photonic crystal fibre sensors", Proc. SPIE 12327, SPIE Future Sensing Technologies 2023, 1232709 (22 May 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2643905

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