Nanoparticle Strategies for Enhancing The Sensitivity of Fluorescence-Based Biochips

Abstract

This article describes strategies for achieving fluorescence enhancement in optical biochips. Two strategies are discussed: plasmonic enhancement, which is due to the localized surface plasmon resonance of metal nanostructures that are adjacent to the fluorescent labels in optical immunoassays; and the use of high-brightness silica nanoparticles as enhanced labels. We present a review of the state-of-the-art in both areas, including synthesis techniques for the metal and silica nanoparticles and the use of the nanoparticles in optical immunoassays. Data are presented that highlight the key design parameters which influence the level of enhancement and model assay data are presented that illustrate potential enhancements in assay performance.

Keywords::

• biochip
• biomedical
• enhancement
• fluorescence
• nanoparticle
• plasmon

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The data shown in this article are based upon works supported by the Science Foundation Ireland under grant number 05/CE3/B754. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The data shown in this article are based upon works supported by the Science Foundation Ireland under grant number 05/CE3/B754. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.