Abstract
The rapid development of biophotonics and biomedical sciences makes a high demand on photonic structures to be interfaced with biological systems that are capable of manipulating light at small scales for sensitive detection of biological signals and precise imaging of cellular structures. However, conventional photonic structures based on artificial materials (either inorganic or toxic organic) inevitably show incompatibility and invasiveness when interfacing with biological systems. The design of biophotonic probes from the abundant natural materials, particularly biological entities such as virus, cells and tissues, with the capability of multifunctional light manipulation at target sites greatly increases the biocompatibility and minimizes the invasiveness to biological microenvironment. In this review, advances in biophotonic probes for bio-detection and imaging are reviewed. We emphatically and systematically describe biological entities-based photonic probes that offer appropriate optical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability with different optical functions from light generation, to light transportation and light modulation. Three representative biophotonic probes, i.e., biological lasers, cell-based biophotonic waveguides and bio-microlenses, are reviewed with applications for bio-detection and imaging. Finally, perspectives on future opportunities and potential improvements of biophotonic probes are also provided.
Highlights
Sensitive detection of biological signals and precise observation of pathological changes are of great importance for the early diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and other health disorders
Light propagation is allowed through cell chains over tens of microns. In their scenario, using laser light launched by abrupt tapered optical fiber (ATF) at a wavelength of 980 nm, biophotonic waveguides were formed by assembling a chain of E. coli cells
The goal of this review is to show the intriguing progresses of emerging biophotonic probes made from biological entities, including virus, bacteria, cells and tissues, for bio-detection and imaging
Summary
Limitations and potential improvements biolaser-based photonic probes are still in their infancy, it is clear that these biophotonic probes hold huge potential for wide scope of biomedical applications. Considering that the excitation light wavelength is basically determined by the gain molecules, design and development of gain materials which can be excited in the NIR‐II region (1000–1700 nm) may contribute to deep tissue applications Another possible solution is to combine biolasers with biocompatible optical waveguides, which can break the tissue penetration limit of light by transporting light into deep tissues. Living cell-based biophotonic waveguides provide desirable optical properties for light guiding and more importantly, they are totally biocompatible and flexible as compared with traditional synthetic materials. The capability of individual cells for light guiding enables the assembly of biophotonic waveguide based on multiple living cells. Light propagation is allowed through cell chains over tens of microns In their scenario, using laser light launched by ATF at a wavelength of 980 nm, biophotonic waveguides were formed by assembling a chain of E. coli cells. The robust structures provide potential for transportation of a single light beam to multiple target a b c d
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