Optofluidic systems enabling detection in real samples: A review

Optofluidics, understood as the synergistic combination between microfluidics and photonics, has been at the forefront of the scientific research due to its outmatching properties: on the one hand, microfluidics allows the handling of minute amounts of liquid samples at the microscale. On the other hand, photonics has proved to outmatch other detection methods (e.g. electrochemistry) in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. From the initial single analyte or spiked samples, currently the technology is mature enough for selective detection of a variety of analytes in raw, complex liquid samples. This will pave the way for the applicability of optofluidic devices for applications in the field or at the point of care. Here, we will revisit the current state of the art of optofluidic and photonic lab-on-a-chip systems for the analysis of real and biologically relevant samples: body fluids and water.