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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

Published on: December 29, 2015

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators.

¹Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology; judithsu@gmail.com.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove

|January 19, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

We developed Frequency Locking Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator (FLOWER) for label-free single molecule detection. This breakthrough offers over 100x improved signal-to-noise ratio for early disease detection and molecular studies.

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Last Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

Published on: December 29, 2015

$Synthesis and Operation of Fluorescent-core Microcavities for Refractometric Sensing$

Synthesis and Operation of Fluorescent-core Microcavities for Refractometric Sensing

Published on: March 13, 2013

Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection

Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection

Published on: April 26, 2014

Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Analytical Chemistry
Optical Physics

Background:

Single molecule detection is crucial for disease diagnostics and molecular behavior studies.
Current methods often rely on labels, which can be costly, complex, and disruptive.
Optical resonators offer a label-free detection alternative, but face limitations in sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and detail the Frequency Locking Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator (FLOWER) technique.
To demonstrate FLOWER's capability for label-free single molecule detection in aqueous solutions.
To significantly improve upon the current state-of-the-art in optical resonator sensitivity.

Main Methods:

Development of the Frequency Locking Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator (FLOWER) system.
Utilizing optical resonators for label-free detection of molecules in solution.
Implementing frequency locking for enhanced signal detection and stability.

Main Results:

Achieved label-free single molecule detection in aqueous solution using FLOWER.
Demonstrated a >100x improvement in signal-to-noise ratio compared to existing non-plasmonic resonators.
Surpassed the previous limit of detecting 25 nm particles, enabling detection of smaller entities.

Conclusions:

FLOWER technology enables highly sensitive, label-free detection of single molecules.
This advancement has significant implications for early disease detection and fundamental molecular research.
The presented procedures aim to promote wider adoption and application of the FLOWER technique in scientific fields.