Development of Lasing Silica Microsphere for High-Speed DNA Molecular Detection

Laser and molecular detection techniques that have been used to overcome the limitations of fluorescent DNA labeling have presented new challenges. To address some of these challenges, we developed a DNA laser that uses a solid-state silica microsphere as a ring resonator and a site for DNA-binding reactions, as well as a platform to detect and sequence target DNA molecules. We detected target DNA using laser emission from a DNA-labeling dye and a developed solid-state silica microsphere ring resonator. The microsphere was sensitive; a single base mismatch in the DNA resulted in the absence of an optical signal. As each individual microsphere can be utilized as a parallel DNA analysis chamber, this optical digital detection scheme allows for high-throughput and rapid analysis. More importantly, the solid-state DNA laser is free from deformation, which guarantees stable lasing characteristics, and can be manipulated freely outside the solution. Thus, this promising advanced DNA laser scheme can be implemented on platforms other than optofluidic chips.