Chapter 4
Bio-microelectromechanical Systems
(BioMEMS) in Bio-sensing
Applications-Luminescence Detection
Strategies
Ana Sofia Cerda-Kipper and Samira Hosseini
4.1 Introduction
Luminescence is emission within the optical domain of the visible, ultraviolet, or
infrared light. Unlike fluorescence that may lose the activity with exposure to light
over time, luminescence continues to produce its cold emission over an extended
period of time (Obodovskiy (2019)). While luminescence-based analysis could be
ultra-sensitive (100–1,000 times more sensitive than colorimetric or fluorescence),
they may not be suitable for the multiplexed analysis (unless integrated), due to the
limited types of luminescent materials (Davies et al. 2003). Luminescent biosensors have been extensively used for the detection of proteins, DNAs, RNAs, and
more importantly microRNAs (Li et al. 2019). Since luminescent sensing is capable
of detecting small molecules, different transduction strategies were integrated into
microfluidic platforms in order to benefit from luminescent detection. A sensor of
this type commonly contains a probe for immobilization of a suitable matrix, a
light source for excitation of the molecules, necessary optomechanical/optoelectrical
apparatuses for manipulating the signal and a readout assembly (Nagl 2015). This
type of sensor relies on the luminescent dyes that alter their optical characteristics
upon interaction with the target analyte. The dyes are generally embedded within a
suitable network such as sensor layers, optical fiber sensors, nano-sensor particles, or
magnetic nano-sensor particles (Gärtner et al. 2015). These microfluidic-integrated
sensors provide data on microenvironments and phenomena that are hidden from bulk
measurements, thus, it enhances our knowledge of such systems. Such devices allow
simple multiplexing of experimental processes and monitoring of parameter changes
(Nagl 2015). Polymer-based luminescent probes in nanoparticular shape can be used
for optical sensing within microfluidic systems. Integrated sensing matrices, on the
other hand, have attracted a great deal of attention and are continually growing in their
A. S. Cerda-Kipper · S. Hosseini (B)
School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
e-mail: samira.hosseini@tec.mx
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer
Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. Hosseini et al., BioMEMS, Lecture Notes in Bioengineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6382-9_4
99
Bio-microelectromechanical Systems
(BioMEMS) in Bio-sensing
Applications-Luminescence Detection
Strategies
Ana Sofia Cerda-Kipper and Samira Hosseini
4.1 Introduction
Luminescence is emission within the optical domain of the visible, ultraviolet, or
infrared light. Unlike fluorescence that may lose the activity with exposure to light
over time, luminescence continues to produce its cold emission over an extended
period of time (Obodovskiy (2019)). While luminescence-based analysis could be
ultra-sensitive (100–1,000 times more sensitive than colorimetric or fluorescence),
they may not be suitable for the multiplexed analysis (unless integrated), due to the
limited types of luminescent materials (Davies et al. 2003). Luminescent biosensors have been extensively used for the detection of proteins, DNAs, RNAs, and
more importantly microRNAs (Li et al. 2019). Since luminescent sensing is capable
of detecting small molecules, different transduction strategies were integrated into
microfluidic platforms in order to benefit from luminescent detection. A sensor of
this type commonly contains a probe for immobilization of a suitable matrix, a
light source for excitation of the molecules, necessary optomechanical/optoelectrical
apparatuses for manipulating the signal and a readout assembly (Nagl 2015). This
type of sensor relies on the luminescent dyes that alter their optical characteristics
upon interaction with the target analyte. The dyes are generally embedded within a
suitable network such as sensor layers, optical fiber sensors, nano-sensor particles, or
magnetic nano-sensor particles (Gärtner et al. 2015). These microfluidic-integrated
sensors provide data on microenvironments and phenomena that are hidden from bulk
measurements, thus, it enhances our knowledge of such systems. Such devices allow
simple multiplexing of experimental processes and monitoring of parameter changes
(Nagl 2015). Polymer-based luminescent probes in nanoparticular shape can be used
for optical sensing within microfluidic systems. Integrated sensing matrices, on the
other hand, have attracted a great deal of attention and are continually growing in their
A. S. Cerda-Kipper · S. Hosseini (B)
School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
e-mail: samira.hosseini@tec.mx
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer
Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. Hosseini et al., BioMEMS, Lecture Notes in Bioengineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6382-9_4
99