1
|
Nie N, Gong X, Gong C, Qiao Z, Wang Z, Fang G, Chen YC. A Wearable Thin-Film Hydrogel Laser for Functional Sensing on Skin. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9159-9166. [PMID: 38726669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Flexible photonics offers the possibility of realizing wearable sensors by bridging the advantages of flexible materials and photonic sensing elements. Recently, optical resonators have emerged as a tool to improve their oversensitivity by integrating with flexible photonic sensors. However, direct monitoring of multiple psychological information on human skin remains challenging due to the subtle biological signals and complex tissue interface. To tackle the current challenges, here, we developed a functional thin film laser formed by encapsulating liquid crystal droplet lasers in a flexible hydrogel for monitoring metabolites in human sweat (lactate, glucose, and urea). The three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophilic polymer serves as the adhesive layer to allow small molecules to penetrate from human tissue to generate strong light--matter interactions on the interface of whispering gallery modes resonators. Both the hydrogel and cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplets were modified specifically to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. As a proof of concept, wavelength-multiplexed sensing and a prototype were demonstrated on human skin to detect human metabolites from perspiration. These results present a significant advance in the fabrication and potential guidance for wearable and functional microlasers in healthcare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ningyuan Nie
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Xuerui Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Chaoyang Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Ziyihui Wang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Guocheng Fang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tweel JED, Ecclestone BR, Boktor M, Dinakaran D, Mackey JR, Reza PH. Automated Whole Slide Imaging for Label-Free Histology Using Photon Absorption Remote Sensing Microscopy. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:1901-1912. [PMID: 38231822 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2024.3355296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pathologists rely on histochemical stains to impart contrast in thin translucent tissue samples, revealing tissue features necessary for identifying pathological conditions. However, the chemical labeling process is destructive and often irreversible or challenging to undo, imposing practical limits on the number of stains that can be applied to the same tissue section. Here we present an automated label-free whole slide scanner using a PARS microscope designed for imaging thin, transmissible samples. METHODS Peak SNR and in-focus acquisitions are achieved across entire tissue sections using the scattering signal from the PARS detection beam to measure the optimal focal plane. Whole slide images (WSI) are seamlessly stitched together using a custom contrast leveling algorithm. Identical tissue sections are subsequently H&E stained and brightfield imaged. The one-to-one WSIs from both modalities are visually and quantitatively compared. RESULTS PARS WSIs are presented at standard 40x magnification in malignant human breast and skin samples. We show correspondence of subcellular diagnostic details in both PARS and H&E WSIs and demonstrate virtual H&E staining of an entire PARS WSI. The one-to-one WSI from both modalities show quantitative similarity in nuclear features and structural information. CONCLUSION PARS WSIs are compatible with existing digital pathology tools, and samples remain suitable for histochemical, immunohistochemical, and other staining techniques. SIGNIFICANCE This work is a critical advance for integrating label-free optical methods into standard histopathology workflows.
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao X, Guo Z, Zhou Y, Guo J, Liu Z, Luo M, Li Y, Wang Q, Zhang M, Yang X, Wang Y, Sun YL, Wu X. Highly sensitive, modification-free, and dynamic real-time stereo-optical immuno-sensor. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 237:115477. [PMID: 37352760 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Modification-free biosensing with high specificity and sensitivity is essential for miniaturized, online, integrated, and rapid, or even real-time molecular analyses. However, most optical biosensors are based on surface pre-modification or fluorescent labeling, and have either low sensitivity or low quality factor (Q). To address these difficulties, in this study, an optical sensor prototype was developed with a microbubble optofluidic channel integrated inside a Fabry-Pérot cavity to three-dimensionally tailor the intra-cavity light field via the intra-cavity lensing (microbubble) configuration. A high Q-factor (∼105), small mode volume, and high light energy density were experimentally achieved with this "stereo-sensor" while maintaining an ultrahigh refractive index (RI) sensitivity (679 nm/RIU) and ultra-small RI resolution (∼10-7 RIU at 950 nm). Moreover, specific detection of very low concentration of biomolecules (5 fg/mL for human IgG and 0.5 pg/mL for human serum albumin (HSA)) and wide range of protein concentrations (e.g., fg/mL-ng/mL for human IgG and pg/mL-ng/mL for HSA) without probe pre-modification were achieved owing to the RI change specifically associated with the probe-target binding and the corresponding bio-macromolecular conformation change. This modification-free stereosensing scenario is applicable to continuous, real-time, and multiplexed operations, thus showing potential for online, integrated, dynamic, biomolecular analyses in vitro or in vivo, such as the dynamic metabolic analysis of single cells or organoids and point-of-care tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhihe Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Junhong Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhiran Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Man Luo
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Yuxiang Li
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qi Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Southwest Institute of Technical Physics, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Southwest Institute of Technical Physics, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - You Wang
- Southwest Institute of Technical Physics, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yun-Lu Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xiang Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu J, Yan J, Jiang L, Li J, Guo H, Qiao M, Qu L. Fluorescence enhancement of organic dyes by femtosecond laser-induced cavitation bubbles for crystal imaging. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:8730-8739. [PMID: 37039123 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00463e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence from organic dyes can be applied in many research fields such as imaging, bio-sensing and diagnosis. One shortcoming of fluorescence imaging is the limitation in emission intensity. Amplification of fluorescence signals can be achieved by the enhancement of localized electromagnetic fields. Metallic nanoparticles are widely applied to produce plasmon resonance, but they cause thermal damage to fragile bio-materials. In this study, we propose a method for nanoparticle-free fluorescence enhancement by ultrafast laser-induced cavitation bubbles in organic dye solutions. Fluorescence enhancement without the use of nanoparticles prevents potential hazards including thermal effects and biotoxicity. In order to achieve fluorescence enhancement in neat dye solution, cavitation bubbles were induced by focusing an 800 nm ultrafast laser beam. Another 400 nm laser beam was used to pump the gain medium. Fluorescence enhancement was observed in various dye solutions. The intensity and spectra of the fluorescence emission can be controlled by changing the power and focus of the excitation laser. According to time-resolved microscopy and simulation results, the cavity formed by the laser-induced bubbles results in the enhancement of the localized electromagnetic field and induces the amplification of the fluorescence signal. The bubble-enhanced fluorescence emission was used for imaging of protein crystals without causing thermal damage to the samples. This study provides an effective method for bio-compatible fluorescence enhancement and has application prospects in fields such as bio-imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jianfeng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Lan Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jiaqun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Heng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ming Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Advanced Equipment, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Liangti Qu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Z, Yang F, Zhang W, Xiong K, Yang S. Towards in vivo photoacoustic human imaging: shining a new light on clinical diagnostics. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
|
6
|
Ni D, Späth M, Klämpfl F, Hohmann M. Properties and Applications of Random Lasers as Emerging Light Sources and Optical Sensors: A Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 23:247. [PMID: 36616846 PMCID: PMC9824070 DOI: 10.3390/s23010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In a random laser (RL), optical feedback arises from multiple scattering instead of conventional mirrors. RLs generate a laser-like emission, and meanwhile take advantage of a simpler and more flexible laser configuration. The applicability of RLs as light sources and optical sensors has been proved. These applications have been extended to the biological field, with tissues as natural scattering materials. Herein, the current state of the RL properties and applications was reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongqin Ni
- Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Konrad-Zuse-Straße 3/5, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Straße 6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Moritz Späth
- Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Konrad-Zuse-Straße 3/5, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Straße 6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Klämpfl
- Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Konrad-Zuse-Straße 3/5, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Straße 6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Hohmann
- Institute of Photonic Technologies (LPT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Konrad-Zuse-Straße 3/5, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
- Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Paul-Gordan-Straße 6, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Si S, Kaneko T, Xu L, Luo H, Nakajima H, Kasai N, Uchiyama K, Wu D, Zeng H. Microsphere amplified fluorescence and its application in sensing. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 218:114791. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
8
|
Zhao S, Li G, Peng X, Ma J, Yin Z, Zhao Q. Ultralow-threshold green fluorescent protein laser based on high Q microbubble resonators. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:23439-23447. [PMID: 36225023 DOI: 10.1364/oe.460985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biological lasers have attracted vast attention because of their potential medical application prospects, especially the low threshold biological laser that can be used for ultrasensitive biological detection while leaving the luminous gain medium undamaged by the pump light. By coupling the low concentration green fluorescent protein (GFP) solution with a high Q whispering gallery mode microbubble resonator, we managed to fabricate a miniature GFP laser with the lowest threshold and highest Q value compared to any known type of the GFP laser. The threshold energy is as low as 380 fJ, two orders of magnitude lower than any type of GFP laser at present. The Q value of the optical cavity in this biological laser is 5.3 × 107, two orders higher than the highest Q value of GFP lasers. We further confirmed the long-term stability of the working characteristics of GFP laser. It can work well nearly a month in temperature 3-4°C. Finally, we measured the effects of different concentrations of fluorescent protein on laser threshold. The data show that this biological laser can be used for highly sensitive detection of GFP concentration, which is particularly useful when the GFP is used as tracers.
Collapse
|
9
|
Virtual histological staining of label-free total absorption photoacoustic remote sensing (TA-PARS). Sci Rep 2022; 12:10296. [PMID: 35717539 PMCID: PMC9206643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Histopathological visualizations are a pillar of modern medicine and biological research. Surgical oncology relies exclusively on post-operative histology to determine definitive surgical success and guide adjuvant treatments. The current histology workflow is based on bright-field microscopic assessment of histochemical stained tissues and has some major limitations. For example, the preparation of stained specimens for brightfield assessment requires lengthy sample processing, delaying interventions for days or even weeks. Therefore, there is a pressing need for improved histopathology methods. In this paper, we present a deep-learning-based approach for virtual label-free histochemical staining of total-absorption photoacoustic remote sensing (TA-PARS) images of unstained tissue. TA-PARS provides an array of directly measured label-free contrasts such as scattering and total absorption (radiative and non-radiative), ideal for developing H&E colorizations without the need to infer arbitrary tissue structures. We use a Pix2Pix generative adversarial network to develop visualizations analogous to H&E staining from label-free TA-PARS images. Thin sections of human skin tissue were first virtually stained with the TA-PARS, then were chemically stained with H&E producing a one-to-one comparison between the virtual and chemical staining. The one-to-one matched virtually- and chemically- stained images exhibit high concordance validating the digital colorization of the TA-PARS images against the gold standard H&E. TA-PARS images were reviewed by four dermatologic pathologists who confirmed they are of diagnostic quality, and that resolution, contrast, and color permitted interpretation as if they were H&E. The presented approach paves the way for the development of TA-PARS slide-free histological imaging, which promises to dramatically reduce the time from specimen resection to histological imaging.
Collapse
|
10
|
Shan H, Dai H, Chen X. Monitoring Various Bioactivities at the Molecular, Cellular, Tissue, and Organism Levels via Biological Lasers. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:3149. [PMID: 35590841 PMCID: PMC9102053 DOI: 10.3390/s22093149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The laser is considered one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Biolasers employ high signal-to-noise ratio lasing emission rather than regular fluorescence as the sensing signal, directional out-coupling of lasing and excellent biocompatibility. Meanwhile, biolasers can also be micro-sized or smaller lasers with embedded/integrated biological materials. This article presents the progress in biolasers, focusing on the work done over the past years, including the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organism levels. Furthermore, biolasers have been utilized and explored for broad applications in biosensing, labeling, tracking, bioimaging, and biomedical development due to a number of unique advantages. Finally, we provide the possible directions of biolasers and their applications in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (H.S.); (H.D.)
| | - Hailang Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (H.S.); (H.D.)
| | - Xianfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (H.S.); (H.D.)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Light Manipulations and Applications, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250358, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Prasetyanto EA, Wasisto HS, Septiadi D. Cellular lasers for cell imaging and biosensing. Acta Biomater 2022; 143:39-51. [PMID: 35314365 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The possibility to produce laser action involving biomaterials, in particular (single) biological cells, has fostered the development of cellular lasers as a novel approach in biophotonics. In this respect, cells that are engineered to carry gain medium (e.g., fluorescent dyes or proteins) are placed inside an optical cavity (i.e., typically a sandwich of highly reflective mirrors), allowing the generation of stimulated emission upon sufficient optical pumping. In another scenario, micron-sized optical resonators supporting whispering-gallery mode (WGM) or semiconductor-based laser probes can be internalized by the cells and support light amplification. This review summarizes the recent advances in the fields of biolasers and cellular lasers, and most importantly, highlights their potential applications in the fields of in vitro and in vivo cell imaging and analysis. They include biosensing (e.g., in vitro detection of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration), cancer cell imaging, laser-emission-based microscope, cell tracking, cell distinction study, and tissue contraction monitoring in zebrafish. Lastly, several fundamental issues in developing cellular lasers including laser probe fabrication, biocompatibility of the system, and alteration of local refractive index of optical cavities due to protein absorption or probe aggregation are described. Cellular lasers are foreseen as a promising tool to study numerous biological and biophysical phenomena. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biolasers are generation of laser involving biological materials. Biomaterials, including single cells, can be engineered to incorporate laser probes or fluorescent proteins or fluorophores, and the resulting light emission can be coupled to optical resonator, allowing generation of cellular laser emission upon optical pumping. Unlike fluorescence, this stimulated emission is very sensitive and is capable of detecting small alterations in the optical property of the cells and their environment. In this review, recent development and applications of cellular lasers in the fields of in vitro and in vivo cell imaging, cell tracking, biosensing, and cell/tissue analysis are highlighted. Several challenges in developing cellular lasers including probe fabrication and biocompatibility as well as alteration of cellular environment are explained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eko Adi Prasetyanto
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Jl. Pluit Raya 2, Jakarta 14440, Indonesia
| | | | - Dedy Septiadi
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chu Y, Sun T, Jiang C. Emerging landscapes of nanosystems based on pre-metastatic microenvironment for cancer theranostics. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
13
|
Qiao Z, Xu H, Zhang N, Gong X, Gong C, Yang G, Chew SY, Huang C, Chen Y. Cellular Features Revealed by Transverse Laser Modes in Frequency Domain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103550. [PMID: 34841743 PMCID: PMC8728842 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological lasers which utilize Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavities have attracted tremendous interest due to their potential in amplifying subtle biological changes. Transverse laser modes generated from cells serve as distinct fingerprints of individual cells; however, most lasing signals lack the ability to provide key information about the cell due to high complexity of transverse modes. The missing key, therefore, hinders it from practical applications in biomedicine. This study reveals the key mechanism governing the frequency distributions of transverse modes in cellular lasers. Spatial information of cells including curvature can be interpreted through spectral information of transverse modes by means of hyperspectral imaging. Theoretical studies are conducted to explore the correlation between the cross-sectional morphology of a cell and lasing frequencies of transverse modes. Experimentally, the spectral characteristics of transverse modes are investigated in live and fixed cells with different morphological features. By extracting laser modes in frequency domain, the proposed concept is applied for studying cell adhesion process and cell classification from rat cortices. This study expands a new analytical dimension of cell lasers, opening an avenue for subcellular analysis in biophotonic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Hongmei Xu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| | - Xuerui Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Chaoyang Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Guang Yang
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Sing Yian Chew
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine11 Mandalay RoadSingapore308232Singapore
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
| | - Yu‐Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Ave.Singapore639798Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hanczyc P, Fita P. Laser Emission of Thioflavin T Uncovers Protein Aggregation in Amyloid Nucleation Phase. ACS PHOTONICS 2021; 8:2598-2609. [PMID: 34557567 PMCID: PMC8451393 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.1c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
There is currently no definitive test for early detection of neurodegeneration which is linked with protein aggregation. Finding methods capable of detecting intermediate states of protein aggregates, named oligomers, is critical for the early stage diagnosis of over 30 neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Currently, fluorescence-based imaging using Thioflavin T (ThT) dye is the gold standard for detecting protein aggregation. It is used to detect aggregation in vitro and in various tissues, including the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whereby the disease-related protein recombinant is seeded with the patient's fluid. The major drawback of ThT is its lack of sensitivity to oligomeric forms of protein aggregates. Here, we overcome this limitation by transferring a ThT-oligomer mixture into solid state thin films and detecting fluorescence of ThT amplified in the process of stimulated emission. By monitoring the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) we achieved a remarkable recognition sensitivity to prefibrillar oligomeric forms of insulin and lysozyme aggregates in vitro, to Aβ42 oligomers in the human protein recombinants seeded with CSF and to Aβ42 oligomers doped into brain tissue. Seeding with Alzheimer patient's CSF containing Aβ42 and Tau aggregates revealed that only Aβ42 oligomers allowed generating ASE. Thus, we demonstrated that, in contrast to the current state-of-the-art, ASE of ThT, a commonly used histological dye, can be used to detect and differentiate amyloid oligomers and evaluate the risk levels of neurodegenerative diseases to potential patients before the clinical symptoms occur.
Collapse
|
15
|
Yuan Z, Cheng X, Li T, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Gong X, Chang GE, Birowosuto MD, Dang C, Chen YC. Light-Harvesting in Biophotonic Optofluidic Microcavities via Whispering-Gallery Modes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:36909-36918. [PMID: 34310119 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Phycobiliproteins are a class of light-harvesting fluorescent proteins existing in cyanobacteria and microalgae, which harvest light and convert it into electricity. Owing to recent demands on environmental-friendly and renewable apparatuses, phycobiliproteins have attracted substantial interest in bioenergy and sustainable devices. However, converting energy from biological materials remains challenging to date. Herein, we report a novel scheme to enhance biological light-harvesting through light-matter interactions at the biointerface of whispering-gallery modes (WGMs), where phycobiliproteins were employed as the active gain material. By exploiting microdroplets as a carrier for light-harvesting biomaterials, strong local electric field enhancement and photon confinement at the cavity interface resulted in significantly enhanced bio-photoelectricity. A threshold-like behavior was discovered in photocurrent enhancement and the WGM modulated fluorescence. Systematic studies of biologically produced photoelectricity and optical mode resonance were carried out to illustrate the impact of the cavity quality factor, structural geometry, and refractive indices. Finally, a biomimetic system was investigated by exploiting cascade energy transfer in phycobiliprotein assembly composed of three light-harvesting proteins. The key findings not only highlight the critical role of optical cavity in light-harvesting but also offer deep insights into light energy coupling in biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xin Cheng
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Tsungyu Li
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yunke Zhou
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yifan Zhang
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xuerui Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Guo-En Chang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan
| | - Muhammad D Birowosuto
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Cuong Dang
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pan T, Lu D, Xin H, Li B. Biophotonic probes for bio-detection and imaging. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:124. [PMID: 34108445 PMCID: PMC8190087 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00561-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of biophotonics and biomedical sciences makes a high demand on photonic structures to be interfaced with biological systems that are capable of manipulating light at small scales for sensitive detection of biological signals and precise imaging of cellular structures. However, conventional photonic structures based on artificial materials (either inorganic or toxic organic) inevitably show incompatibility and invasiveness when interfacing with biological systems. The design of biophotonic probes from the abundant natural materials, particularly biological entities such as virus, cells and tissues, with the capability of multifunctional light manipulation at target sites greatly increases the biocompatibility and minimizes the invasiveness to biological microenvironment. In this review, advances in biophotonic probes for bio-detection and imaging are reviewed. We emphatically and systematically describe biological entities-based photonic probes that offer appropriate optical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability with different optical functions from light generation, to light transportation and light modulation. Three representative biophotonic probes, i.e., biological lasers, cell-based biophotonic waveguides and bio-microlenses, are reviewed with applications for bio-detection and imaging. Finally, perspectives on future opportunities and potential improvements of biophotonic probes are also provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Pan
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Dengyun Lu
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Hongbao Xin
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China.
| | - Baojun Li
- Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gong C, Qiao Z, Yuan Z, Huang S, Wang W, Wu PC, Chen Y. Topological Encoded Vector Beams for Monitoring Amyloid-Lipid Interactions in Microcavity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2100096. [PMID: 34194941 PMCID: PMC8224421 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Lasers are the pillars of modern photonics and sensing. Recent advances in microlasers have demonstrated its extraordinary lasing characteristics suitable for biosensing. However, most lasers utilized lasing spectrum as a detection signal, which can hardly detect or characterize nanoscale structural changes in microcavity. Here the concept of amplified structured light-molecule interactions is introduced to monitor tiny bio-structural changes in a microcavity. Biomimetic liquid crystal droplets with self-assembled lipid monolayers are sandwiched in a Fabry-Pérot cavity, where subtle protein-lipid membrane interactions trigger the topological transformation of output vector beams. By exploiting Amyloid β (Aβ)-lipid membrane interactions as a proof-of-concept, it is demonstrated that vector laser beams can be viewed as a topology of complex laser modes and polarization states. The concept of topological-encoded laser barcodes is therefore developed to reveal dynamic changes of laser modes and Aβ-lipid interactions with different Aβ assembly structures. The findings demonstrate that the topology of vector beams represents significant features of intracavity nano-structural dynamics resulted from structured light-molecule interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Shih‐Hsiu Huang
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of EducationTaiyuan University of TechnologyTaiyuan030024P. R. China
| | - Pin Chieh Wu
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
| | - Yu‐Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yuan Z, Zhou Y, Qiao Z, Eng Aik C, Tu WC, Wu X, Chen YC. Stimulated Chiral Light-Matter Interactions in Biological Microlasers. ACS NANO 2021; 15:8965-8975. [PMID: 33988971 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chiral light-matter interactions have emerged as a promising area in biophysics and quantum optics. Great progress in enhancing chiral light-matter interactions have been investigated through passive resonators or spontaneous emission. Nevertheless, the interaction between chiral biomolecules and stimulated emission remains unexplored. Here we introduce the concept of a biological chiral laser by amplifying chiral light-matter interactions in an active resonator through stimulated emission process. Green fluorescent proteins or chiral biomolecules encapsulated in Fabry-Perot microcavity served as the gain material while excited by either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized pump laser. Owing to the nonlinear pump energy dependence of stimulated emission, significant enhancement of chiral light-matter interactions was demonstrated. Detailed experiments and theory revealed that a lasing dissymmetry factor is determined by molecular absorption dissymmetry factor at its excitation wavelength. Finally, chirality transfer was investigated under a stimulated emission process through resonance energy transfer. Our findings elucidate the mechanism of stimulated chiral light-matter interactions, providing better understanding of light-matter interaction in biophysics, chiral sensing, and quantum biophotonics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Yunke Zhou
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Chan Eng Aik
- Centre for Disruptive Photonic Technologies, TPI and SPMS, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371 Singapore
| | - Wei-Chen Tu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Xiaoqin Wu
- College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459 Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang X, Gong C, Wang Y, Luo Y, Rao YJ, Peng GD, Gong Y. A sequentially bioconjugated optofluidic laser for wash-out-free and rapid biomolecular detection. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1686-1693. [PMID: 33949394 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01332c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microstructures can improve both sensitivity and assay time in heterogeneous assays (such as ELISA) for biochemical analysis; however, it remains a challenge to perform the essential wash process in those microstructure-based heterogeneous assays. Here, we propose a sequential bioconjugation protocol to solve this problem and demonstrate a new type of fiber optofluidic laser for biosensing. Except for acting as an optical microresonator and a microstructured substrate, the miniaturized hollow optical fiber (HOF) is used as a microfluidic channel for storing and transferring reagents thanks to its capability in length extension. Through the capillary action, different reagents were sequentially withdrawn into the fiber for specific binding and washing purposes. By using the sequentially bioconjugated FOFL, avidin molecules are detected based on competitive binding with a limit of detection of 9.5 pM, ranging from 10 pM to 100 nM. It is demonstrated that a short incubation time of 10 min is good enough to allow the biomolecules to conjugate on the inner surface of the HOF. Owing to its miniaturized size, only 589 nL of liquid is required for incubation, which reduces the sample consumption and cost for each test. This work provides a tool to exploit the potential of microstructured optical fibers in high-performance biosensing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), School of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China.
| | - Chaoyang Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore, 639798 Singapore
| | - Yanqiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), School of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China.
| | - Yanhua Luo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yun-Jiang Rao
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), School of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China. and Research Center for Optical Fiber Sensing, Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China
| | - Gang-Ding Peng
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yuan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), School of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Gong X, Feng S, Qiao Z, Chen YC. Imaging-Based Optofluidic Biolaser Array Encapsulated with Dynamic Living Organisms. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5823-5830. [PMID: 33734676 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optofluidic biolasers have emerged as promising tools for biomedical analysis due to their strong light-matter interactions and miniaturized size. Recent developments in optofluidic lasers have opened a new Frontier in monitoring biological processes. However, most biolasers require precise recording of the lasing spectrum at the single cavity level, which limits its application in high-throughput applications. Herein, a microdroplet laser array encapsulated with living Escherichia coli was printed on highly reflective mirrors, where laser emission images were employed to reflect the dynamic changes in living organisms. The concept of image-based lasing analysis was proposed by quantifying the integrated pixel intensity of the lasing image from whispering-gallery modes. Finally, dynamic interactions between E. coli and antibiotic drugs were compared under fluorescence and laser emission images. The amplification that occurred during laser generation enabled the quantification of tiny biological changes in the gain medium. Laser imaging presented a significant increase in integrated pixel intensity by 2 orders of magnitude. Our findings demonstrate that image-based lasing analysis is more sensitive to dynamic changes than fluorescence analysis, paving the way for high-throughput on-chip laser analysis of living organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuerui Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., 639798, Singapore
| | - Shilun Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Zhen Qiao
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., 639798, Singapore
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave., 639798, Singapore.,School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Dr., 639798, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yuan Z, Tan X, Gong X, Gong C, Cheng X, Feng S, Fan X, Chen YC. Bioresponsive microlasers with tunable lasing wavelength. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:1608-1615. [PMID: 33439198 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07921a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lasing particles are emerging tools for amplifying light-matter interactions at the biointerface by exploiting its strong intensity and miniaturized size. Recent advances in implementing laser particles into living cells and tissues have opened a new frontier in biological imaging, monitoring, and tracking. Despite remarkable progress in micro- and nanolasers, lasing particles with surface functionality remain challenging due to the low mode-volume while maintaining a high Q-factor. Herein, we report the novel concept of bioresponsive microlasers by exploiting interfacial energy transfer based on whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microdroplet cavities. Lasing wavelengths were manipulated by energy transfer-induced changes of a gain spectrum resulting from the binding molecular concentrations at the cavity surface. Both protein-based and enzymatic-based interactions were demonstrated, shedding light on the development of functional microlasers. Finally, tunable lasing wavelengths over a broad spectral range were achieved by selecting different donor/acceptor pairs. This study not only opens new avenues for biodetection, but also provides deep insights into how molecules modulate laser light at the biointerface, laying the foundation for the development of smart bio-photonic devices at the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jana S, Xu X, Klymchenko A, Reisch A, Pons T. Microcavity-Enhanced Fluorescence Energy Transfer from Quantum Dot Excited Whispering Gallery Modes to Acceptor Dye Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2021; 15:1445-1453. [PMID: 33378154 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavities are emerging as potential candidates in the field of biosensing applications, as their resonance wavelengths shift with changes in the refractive index in the region of their evanescent field. Their high-quality resonance modes and accessible surface functionalities make them promising for molecular assays, but their high sensitivity makes them inherently unstable. Here, we demonstrate that WGM resonances also strongly enhance fluorescence energy transfer between donors placed inside the microcavity and acceptors placed outside. We load colloidal quantum dots (QDs) into polymeric microspheres to provide WGMs that benefit from the QD optical features when used as energy-transfer donors. Spectroscopic analysis of the emission from the microcavities shows that the high quality of WGMs enables a very efficient energy transfer to dye-loaded polymer nanoparticle acceptors placed in their vicinity. Compared to Förster resonance energy transfer, WGM-enabled energy transfer (WGET) occurs over a much more extended volume, thanks to the delocalization of the mode over a typically 105 times larger surface and to the extension of the WGM electromagnetic field to larger distances (>100 nm vs a few nm) from the surface of the microcavity. The resulting sensing scheme combines the sensitivity of WGM spectroscopy with the specificity and simple detection schemes of fluorescence energy transfer, thus providing a potentially powerful class of biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subha Jana
- Laboratoire de Physique et d'Étude des matériaux (LPEM, UMR 8213), ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Xiangzhen Xu
- Laboratoire de Physique et d'Étude des matériaux (LPEM, UMR 8213), ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Andrey Klymchenko
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies UMR 7021, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Andreas Reisch
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Laboratoire de Bioimagerie et Pathologies UMR 7021, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Pons
- Laboratoire de Physique et d'Étude des matériaux (LPEM, UMR 8213), ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Advances in switchable microlasers have emerged as a building block with immense potential in controlling light-matter interactions and integrated photonics. Compared to artificially designed interfaces, a stimuli-responsive biointerface enables a higher level of functionalities and versatile ways of tailoring optical responses at the nanoscale. However, switching laser emission with biological recognition has yet to be addressed, particularly with reversibility and wavelength tunability over a broad spectral range. Here we demonstrate a self-switchable laser exploiting the biointerface between label-free DNA molecules and dye-doped liquid crystal matrix in a Fabry-Perot microcavity. Laser emission switching among different wavelengths was achieved by utilizing DNA conformation changes as the switching power, which alters the orientation of the liquid crystals. Our findings demonstrate that different concentrations of single-stranded DNA lead to different temporal switching of lasing wavelengths and intensities. The lasing wavelength could be reverted upon binding with the complementary sequence through DNA hybridization process. Both experimental and theoretical studies revealed that absorption strength is the key mechanism accounting for the laser shifting behavior. This study represents a milestone in achieving a biologically controlled laser, shedding light on the development of programmable photonic devices at the sub-nanoscale by exploiting the complexity and self-recognition of biomolecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xuerui Gong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Guo Z, Qin Y, Chen P, Hu J, Zhou Y, Zhao X, Liu Z, Fei Y, Jiang X, Wu X. Hyperboloid-Drum Microdisk Laser Biosensors for Ultrasensitive Detection of Human IgG. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2000239. [PMID: 32510822 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202000239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Whispering gallery mode (WGM) microresonators have been used as optical sensors in fundamental research and practical applications. The majority of WGM sensors are passive resonators that require complex systems, thereby limiting their practicality. Active resonators enable the remote excitation and collection of WGM-modulated fluorescence spectra, without requiring complex systems, and can be used as alternatives to passive microresonators. This paper demonstrates an active microresonator, which is a microdisk laser in a hyperboloid-drum (HD) shape. The HD microdisk lasers are a combination of a rhodamine B-doped photoresist and a silica microdisk. These HD microdisk lasers can be utilized for the detection of label-free biomolecules. The biomolecule concentration can be as low as 1 ag mL-1 , whereas the theoretical detection limit of the biosensor for human IgG in phosphate buffer saline is 9 ag mL-1 (0.06 aM ). Additionally, the biosensors are able to detect biomolecules in an artificial serum, with a theoretical detection limit of 9 ag mL-1 (0.06 aM ). These results are approximately four orders of magnitude more sensitive than those for the typical active WGM biosensors. The proposed HD microdisk laser biosensors show enormous detection potential for biomarkers in protein secretions or body fluids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihe Guo
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yingchun Qin
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Peizong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jinliang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xuyang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhiran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yiyan Fei
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaoshun Jiang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Department of Optical Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Ultra Precision Optical Manufacturing, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang H, Palit P, Liu Y, Vaziri S, Sun Y. Reconfigurable Integrated Optofluidic Droplet Laser Arrays. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:26936-26942. [PMID: 32437123 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c05967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Optofluidic lasers are an emerging technology for the development of miniaturized light sources and biological and chemical sensors. However, most optofluidic lasers demonstrated to date are operated at the single optical cavity level, which limits their applications in high-throughput biochemical sensing, high-speed wavelength switching, and on-chip spectroscopic analysis. Here, we demonstrated an optofluidic droplet laser array on a silicon chip with integrated microfluidics, in which four individual droplet optical cavities are generated and controlled by a 2 × 2 nozzle array. Arrays of droplets with a diameter ranging from 115 to 475 μm can be generated, removed, and regenerated on demand. The lasing threshold of the droplet laser array is in the range of 0.63-2.02 μJ/mm2. An image-based lasing threshold analysis method is developed, which enables simultaneous lasing threshold measurement for all laser units within the laser array using a low-cost camera. Compared to the conventional spectrum-based threshold analysis method, the lasing threshold obtained from the image-based method showed consistent results. Our droplet laser array is a promising technology in the development of cost-effective and integrated coherent light source on a chip for point-of-care applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Prithviraj Palit
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Yonghao Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Seyedmohsen Vaziri
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| | - Yuze Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Roxby DN, Yuan Z, Krishnamoorthy S, Wu P, Tu W, Chang G, Lau R, Chen Y. Enhanced Biophotocurrent Generation in Living Photosynthetic Optical Resonator. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1903707. [PMID: 32537412 PMCID: PMC7284217 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201903707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergy from photosynthetic living organisms is a potential solution for energy-harvesting and bioelectricity-generation issues. With the emerging interest in biophotovoltaics, extracting electricity from photosynthetic organisms remains challenging because of the low electron-transition rate and photon collection efficiency due to membrane shielding. In this study, the concept of "photosynthetic resonator" to amplify biological nanoelectricity through the confinement of living microalgae (Chlorella sp.) in an optical micro/nanocavity is demonstrated. Strong energy coupling between the Fabry-Perot cavity mode and photosynthetic resonance offers the potential of exploiting optical resonators to amplify photocurrent generation as well as energy harvesting. Biomimetic models and living photosynthesis are explored in which the power is increased by almost 600% and 200%, respectively. Systematic studies of photosystem fluorescence and photocurrent are simultaneously carried out. Finally, an optofluidic-based photosynthetic device is developed. It is envisaged that the key innovations proposed in this study can provide comprehensive insights in biological-energy sciences, suggesting a new avenue to amplify electrochemical signals using an optical cavity. Promising applications include photocatalysis, photoelectrochemistry, biofuel devices, and sustainable optoelectronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N. Roxby
- School of Electrical and Electronics EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Yuan
- School of Electrical and Electronics EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
| | - Sankaran Krishnamoorthy
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| | - Pinchieh Wu
- Department of PhotonicsNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan CityTaiwan
| | - Wei‐Chen Tu
- Department of Electrical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan CityTaiwan
| | - Guo‐En Chang
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringNational Chung Cheng UniversityChiayiTaiwan
| | - Raymond Lau
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| | - Yu‐Cheng Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronics EngineeringNanyang Technological University50 Nanyang AvenueSingapore639798Singapore
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University62 Nanyang DriveSingapore637459Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Yang X, Luo Y, Liu Y, Gong C, Wang Y, Rao YJ, Peng GD, Gong Y. Mass production of thin-walled hollow optical fibers enables disposable optofluidic laser immunosensors. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:923-930. [PMID: 32022063 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01216h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Disposable biosensors are of great importance in disease diagnosis due to their inherent merits of no cross-contamination and ease of use. Optofluidic laser (OFL) sensors are a new category of sensitive biosensors; however, it is challenging to cost-effectively mass-produce them to achieve disposability. Here, we report a disposable optofluidic laser immunosensor based on thin-walled hollow optical fibers (HOFs). Using a fiber draw tower, the fabrication parameters, including drawing speed and gas flow rate, are explored, and the HOF geometry is precisely controlled, which allows identical laser microring resonators to be distributed along the fibers. The disposable OFL immunosensor detects the protein concentration in the HOF through a wash-free immunoassay. Enabled by the disposable sensors, the statistical characteristics of 80 tests for each concentration greatly reduces the bioassay uncertainty. A low coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.3% confirms the high reproducibility of the disposable HOF-OFL sensors, and the mean of the normal distribution of the logarithmic OFL intensity serves as the sensing output. A limit of detection of 11 nM within a short assay time of 15 min is achieved. These disposable immunosensors possess the advantages of low cost, high reproducibility, fast assay, and low-volume consumption of sample and reagents. We believe that this work will inspire disposable optofluidics through the mass production of multifunctional microstructured optical fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Yanhua Luo
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Yiling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Chaoyang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China. and School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yanqiong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Yun-Jiang Rao
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Gang-Ding Peng
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Yuan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tan X, Chen Q, Zhu H, Zhu S, Gong Y, Wu X, Chen YC, Li X, Li MWH, Liu W, Fan X. Fast and Reproducible ELISA Laser Platform for Ultrasensitive Protein Quantification. ACS Sens 2020; 5:110-117. [PMID: 31829015 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.9b01795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Optofluidic lasers are currently of high interest for sensitive intracavity biochemical analysis. In comparison with conventional methods such as fluorescence and colorimetric detection, optofluidic lasers provide a method for amplifying small concentration differences in the gain medium, thus achieving high sensitivity. Here, we report the development of an on-chip ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) laser platform that is able to complete an assay in a short amount of time with small sample/reagent volumes, large dynamic range, and high sensitivity. The arrayed microscale reaction wells in the ELISA lasers can be microfabricated directly on dielectric mirrors, thus significantly improving the quality of the reaction wells and detection reproducibility. The details of the fabrication and characterization of those reaction wells on the mirror are described and the ELISA laser assay protocols are developed. Finally, we applied the ELISA laser to detecting IL-6, showing that a detection limit of about 0.1 pg/mL can be achieved in 1.5 h with 15 μL of sample/reagents per well. This work pushes the ELISA laser a step closer to solving problems in real-world biochemical analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Qiushu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Song Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yuan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Avenue, Chengdu 611731, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xuzhou Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Maxwell Wei-Hao Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Wenyi Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
The selective amplification of DNA in the polymerase chain reaction is used to exponentially increase the signal in molecular diagnostics for nucleic acids, but there are no analogous techniques for signal enhancement in clinical tests for proteins or cells. Instead, the signal from affinity-based measurements of these biomolecules depends linearly on the probe concentration. Substituting antibody-based probes tagged for fluorescent quantification with lasing detection probes would create a new platform for biomarker quantification based on optical rather than enzymatic amplification. Here, we construct a virus laser which bridges synthetic biology and laser physics, and demonstrate virus-lasing probes for biosensing. Our virus-lasing probes display an unprecedented > 10,000 times increase in signal from only a 50% increase in probe concentration, using fluorimeter-compatible optics, and can detect biomolecules at sub-100 fmol mL−1 concentrations. Many ligand-binding assays still rely on signals that scale linearly with probe concentration. The authors present lasing detection probes with a dye-labelled virus as the gain medium to optically amplify the signal, which could enable much higher signals than for fluorescent quantification.
Collapse
|
30
|
Yang X, Shu W, Wang Y, Gong Y, Gong C, Chen Q, Tan X, Peng GD, Fan X, Rao YJ. Turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay revisited to enhance its sensitivity via an optofluidic laser. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 131:60-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
31
|
Chen YC, Chen Q, Tan X, Chen G, Bergin I, Aslam MN, Fan X. Chromatin laser imaging reveals abnormal nuclear changes for early cancer detection. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 10:838-854. [PMID: 30800518 PMCID: PMC6377874 DOI: 10.1364/boe.10.000838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
We developed and applied rapid scanning laser-emission microscopy (LEM) to detect abnormal changes in cell nuclei for early diagnosis of cancer and cancer precursors. Regulation of chromatins is essential for genetic development and normal cell functions, while abnormal nuclear changes may lead to many diseases, in particular, cancer. The capability to detect abnormal changes in "apparently normal" tissues at a stage earlier than tumor development is critical for cancer prevention. Here we report using LEM to analyze colonic tissues from mice at-risk for colon cancer (induced by a high-fat diet) by detecting pre-polyp nuclear abnormality. By imaging the lasing emissions from chromatins, we discovered that, despite the absence of observable lesions, polyps, or tumors under stereoscope, high-fat mice exhibited significantly lower lasing thresholds than low-fat mice. The low lasing threshold is, in fact, very similar to that of adenomas and is caused by abnormal cell proliferation and chromatin deregulation that can potentially lead to cancer. Our findings suggest that conventional detection methods, such as colonoscopy followed by histopathology, by itself, may be insufficient to reveal hidden or early tumors under development. We envision that this innovative work will provide new insights into LEM and support existing tools for early tumor detection in clinical diagnosis, and fundamental biological and biomedical research of chromatin changes at the biomolecular level of cancer development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Ave, 639798, Singapore
| | - Qiushu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiaotain Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Grace Chen
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ingrid Bergin
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Aslam
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xudong Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ma RM, Oulton RF. Applications of nanolasers. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 14:12-22. [PMID: 30559486 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Nanolasers generate coherent light at the nanoscale. In the past decade, they have attracted intense interest, because they are more compact, faster and more power-efficient than conventional lasers. Thanks to these capabilities, nanolasers are now an emergent tool for a variety of practical applications. In this Review, we explain the intrinsic merits of nanolasers and assess recent progress on their applications, particularly for optical interconnects, near-field spectroscopy and sensing, optical probing for biological systems and far-field beam synthesis through near-field eigenmode engineering. We highlight the scientific and engineering challenges that remain for forging nanolasers into powerful tools for nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Min Ma
- State Key Lab for Mesoscopic Physics and School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing, China.
| | - Rupert F Oulton
- The Blackett Laboratory, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wu Y, Huang S, Wang J, Sun L, Zeng F, Wu S. Activatable probes for diagnosing and positioning liver injury and metastatic tumors by multispectral optoacoustic tomography. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3983. [PMID: 30266905 PMCID: PMC6162313 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06499-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Optoacoustic tomography (photoacoustic tomography) is an emerging imaging technology displaying great potential for medical diagnosis and preclinical research. Rationally designing activatable optoacoustic probes capable of diagnosing diseases and locating their foci can bring into full play the role of optoacoustic tomography (OAT) as a promising noninvasive imaging modality. Here we report two xanthene-based optoacoustic probes (C1X-OR1 and C2X-OR2) for temporospatial imaging of hepatic alkaline phosphatase (or β-galactosidase) for evaluating and locating drug-induced liver injury (or metastatic tumor). The probes rapidly respond to the disease-specific biomarkers by displaying red-shifted NIR absorption bands and generate prominent optoacoustic signals. Using multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), we can precisely localize the focus of drug-induced liver injury in mice using C1X-OR1, and the metastatic tumors using C2X-OR2. This work suggests that the activatable optoacoustic chromophores may potentially be applied for diagnosing and localizing disease foci, especially smaller and deeper ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinglong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Shuailing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Jun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Lihe Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Fang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Shuizhu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials & Devices, College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Gong C, Gong Y, Zhao X, Luo Y, Chen Q, Tan X, Wu Y, Fan X, Peng GD, Rao YJ. Distributed fibre optofluidic laser for chip-scale arrayed biochemical sensing. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2741-2748. [PMID: 30094434 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00638e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Optofluidic lasers (OFLs) are an emerging technological platform for biochemical sensing, and their good performance especially high sensitivity has been demonstrated. However, high-throughput detection with an OFL remains a major challenge due to the lack of reproducible optical microcavities. Here, we introduce the concept of a distributed fibre optofluidic laser (DFOFL) and demonstrate its potential for high-throughput sensing applications. Due to the precise fibre geometry control via fibre drawing, a series of identical optical microcavities uniformly distributed along a hollow optical fibre (HOF) can be achieved to obtain a one-dimensional (1D) DFOFL. An enzymatic reaction catalysed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) can be monitored over time, and the HRP concentration is detected by DFOFL-based arrayed colorimetric detection. Experimentally, five-channel detection in parallel with imaging has been demonstrated. Theoretically, spatial multiplexing of hundreds of channels is achievable with DFOFL-based detection. The DFOFL wavelength is tuned over hundreds of nanometers by optimizing the dye concentration or reconfiguring the liquid gain materials. Extending this concept to a two-dimensional (2D) chip through wavelength multiplexing can further enhance its multi-functionality, including multi-sample detection and spectral analysis. This work opens the door to high-throughput biochemical sensing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications (Ministry of Education of China), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Ave., Chengdu, 611731 China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Song P, Wang JH, Zhang M, Yang F, Lu HJ, Kang B, Xu JJ, Chen HY. Three-level spaser for next-generation luminescent nanoprobe. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat0292. [PMID: 30128353 PMCID: PMC6097815 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The development of modern biological and medical science highly depends on advanced luminescent probes. Current probes typically have wide emission spectra of 30 to 100 nm, which limits the number of resolvable colors that are simultaneously labeled on samples. Spasers, the abbreviation for surface plasmon lasers, have ultranarrow lasing spectra by stimulated light amplification in the plasmon nanocavity. However, high threshold (>102 mJ cm-2) and short lasing lifetime (approximately picoseconds to nanoseconds) still remain obstacles for current two-level spaser systems. We demonstrated a new type of a three-level spaser using triplet-state electrons. By prolonging the upper state lifetime and controlling the energy transfer, high gain compensation was generated. This probe, named delayed spasing dots (dsDs), about 50 to 60 nm in size, exhibited a spectral linewidth of ~3 nm, an ultralow threshold of ~1 mJ cm-2, and a delayed lasing lifetime of ~102 μs. As the first experimental realization of the three-level spaser system, our results suggested a general strategy to tune the spasing threshold and dynamics by engineering the energy level of the gain medium and the energy transfer process. These dsDs have the potential to become new-generation luminescent probes for super-multiplex biological analysis without disturbance from short lifetime background emission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bin Kang
- Corresponding author. (B.K.); (J.-J.X.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | - Jing-Juan Xu
- Corresponding author. (B.K.); (J.-J.X.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhang H, Sun Y. Optofluidic droplet dye laser generated by microfluidic nozzles. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:11284-11291. [PMID: 29716052 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.011284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We present an optofluidic droplet dye laser that is generated by an array of microfluidic nozzles fabricated on a polycarbonate chip. A droplet resonator forms upon pressurizing the nozzle backside microfluidic channel. Multimode low-threshold lasing is observed from individual microdroplets doped with dye. Additionally, droplets can be conveniently released from the nozzle by water rinsing from the top microfluidic channel and subsequently regenerated, and thus achieve optofluidic lasers on-demand. Our work demonstrates a new approach to generating on-chip laser source and laser arrays in a simple, reproducible, reconfigurable, and low-cost fashion.
Collapse
|
37
|
Chen YC, Chen Q, Wu X, Tan X, Wang J, Fan X. A robust tissue laser platform for analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:1057-1065. [PMID: 29511754 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00084k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Laser emission-based detection and imaging technology has attracted significant interest in biomedical research due to its high sensitivity, narrow linewidth, and superior spectral and spatial resolution. Recent advances have further revealed the potential to use laser emission to investigate chromatin dynamics, as well as to diagnose cancer tissues based on nuclear biomarkers. To move the laser emission based detection technology a step further towards practical use, in this work, we developed a highly robust tissue laser platform by microfabricating an SU8 spacer with a fixed height on the top mirror of the Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity, which allows generation of reproducible and stable lasing results regardless of tissue thickness. Then we applied this platform to achieve lasing emission from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tissues, which account for an overwhelming fraction of tissues collected for research and clinical use worldwide. We further showed that the cancer and normal FFPE lung tissues can be distinguished by their respective lasing thresholds. Two different tissue thicknesses (10 μm and 5 μm) commonly used in pathological labs were explored. Finally, we tested three additional types of tissues (colon, stomach, and breast) that were prepared independently by lab technicians in a pathology lab in China and shipped to the US in order to validate the general applicability and practicality of the laser emission-based technology as well as the corresponding sample preparation protocol and the tissue laser platform. Our work will not only vastly broaden the applications of laser emission-based detection/imaging technology but also help translate it from the laboratory to an automated system for clinical practice that may eventually benefit biomedicine and biological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Cheng Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1101 Beal Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
|
39
|
Lasing cancer biomarkers. Nat Biomed Eng 2017; 1:682-683. [PMID: 31015672 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-017-0134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|