Patterned microarrays or nanoscale assemblies for optical sensing of biomarkers

Abstract

Array-based micro- or nanoscale substrates are particularly attractive for biomolecular sensing due to the periodicity of the engineered nanostructures that provide impressively enhanced and spatially uniform optical outputs. However, the complexity in the manufacturing of nanoscale substrates and laborious data processing restrict their real-world monitoring uses. This review will summarize the fabrications of state-of-the-art microarray or nanoassembly technology, the methodologies in biomarker recognition and quantification, and applications in biological sensing and diagnosis of various diseases. As the primary applications in clinical diagnosis, the optical monitoring of microRNAs, proteins and other small-molecule biomarkers will be reviewed according to the specific optical transducing mechanisms and biomolecular interactions involved. Choices of the optical signal acquisition, such as the bulk measurement-based analysis or digital counting will be elaborated discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives in the design of the next generation of patterned microarrays or nanoassemblies for sensing purposes will be highlighted.