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Whispering-gallery-mode biosensing: label-free detection down to single molecules
Frank Vollmer1, Stephen Arnold
1The Rowland Institute, Harvard University, 100 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.
Nature Methods
|July 1, 2008
Summary
Whispering gallery mode (WGM) biosensors achieve unprecedented sensitivity for detecting single molecular binding events. This advancement surpasses traditional optical label-free detectors like surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Biosensing
Background:
- Optical label-free detectors, including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), offer quantitative intermolecular binding data.
- Previous limitations in sensitivity hindered the detection of single binding events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe enhancement mechanisms in WGM biosensors.
- To review current implementations and applications of WGM biosensors.
- To discuss future possibilities for WGM biosensor technology.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing resonant microcavities with whispering gallery mode (WGM) recirculation.
- Investigating enhancement mechanisms responsible for extreme sensitivity.
Main Results:
- WGM biosensors demonstrate extreme sensitivity, enabling single binding event detection.
- WGM technology represents a significant advancement over traditional SPR sensors.
Conclusions:
- WGM biosensors offer a highly sensitive platform for label-free detection.
- Future developments hold promise for expanded applications in molecular interaction analysis.
