Recent Applications and Future Perspectives of Chemiluminescent and Bioluminescent Imaging Technologies

Imaging technologies based on chemiluminescence (CL) and bioluminescence (BL) have seen a tremendous growth in the past decade due to their extensive contributions to biochemical analysis and biomedical science. CL and BL imaging technologies have many advantages over commonly used imaging techniques (such as fluorescence and electrochemical systems). CL and BL proceed without an external light source, thus avoiding photobleaching, high interference of background signal, and autofluorescence. Furthermore, CL and BL analytical techniques are characterized by their low detection limit, high selectivity, short assay time, and simple instrumentation. Recently, CL-based imaging technology has been applied successfully for the determination and in vivo imaging of several significant analytes. Meanwhile, an innovative BL imaging technology has been established for the noninvasive real-time tracking of different biomolecules relying on the interaction between luciferase and its substrate. In the current review, we discuss the recent applications of CL and BL imaging approaches over the past five years. Finally, we also discuss the current state of progress and the prospects for CL and BL imaging systems.