Distinguishing Small Molecules in Microcavity with Molecular Laser Polarization

There is currently no definitive test for early detection of neurodegeneration which is linked with protein aggregation. Finding methods capable of detecting intermediate states of protein aggregates, named oligomers, is critical for the early stage diagnosis of over 30 neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Currently, fluorescence-based imaging using Thioflavin T (ThT) dye is the gold standard for detecting protein aggregation. It is used to detect aggregation in vitro and in various tissues, including the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whereby the disease-related protein recombinant is seeded with the patient’s fluid. The major drawback of ThT is its lack of sensitivity to oligomeric forms of protein aggregates. Here, we overcome this limitation by transferring a ThT–oligomer mixture into solid state thin films and detecting fluorescence of ThT amplified in the process of stimulated emission. By monitoring the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) we achieved a remarkable recognition sensitivity to prefibrillar oligomeric forms of insulin and lysozyme aggregates in vitro, to Aβ42 oligomers in the human protein recombinants seeded with CSF and to Aβ42 oligomers doped into brain tissue. Seeding with Alzheimer patient’s CSF containing Aβ42 and Tau aggregates revealed that only Aβ42 oligomers allowed generating ASE. Thus, we demonstrated that, in contrast to the current state-of-the-art, ASE of ThT, a commonly used histological dye, can be used to detect and differentiate amyloid oligomers and evaluate the risk levels of neurodegenerative diseases to potential patients before the clinical symptoms occur.

show abstract

“…Therefore, ASE provides additional bioanalytical information that complements traditional fluorescence methods. 36 − 39 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser Emission of Thioflavin T Uncovers Protein Aggregation in Amyloid Nucleation Phase

Hańczyc

Fita

2021

ACS Photonics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A lab-on-fiber device can be achieved by fully exploiting the properties of light, such as spatial distribution of light, spectral shift, polarization, or beat frequency, besides detection of the intensity. [19,269,270] Multiple output parameters and multiplexing methods should be the prerequisite for multianalyte detection. The upgrade of fiber microlaser biosensor to multi-frequency light source might be a technical candidate.…”

Section: Summary and Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fiber Optofluidic Microlasers: Structures, Characteristics, and Applications

Yang

Gong

Zhang

et al. 2021

Laser & Photonics Reviews

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Herein, recent progress in fiber optofluidic lasers and their applications in biochemical detection are reviewed. The unique properties of optical fibers are introduced for the development of optofluidic microlasers, including high quality factor, small mode volume, high aspect ratio, high reproducibility, and low cost. Optical fiber microresonators based on Fabry-Pérot cavity, microring resonator or photonic bandgap cavity are highlighted to provide optical feedback for optofluidic lasing. For applications, the capability of fiber optofluidic lasers is emphasized to perform biochemical analysis with ultrahigh sensitivity, fast response, high throughput, and disposable optical biodetection. The challenges and prospects for fiber optofluidic lasers are also discussed.

show abstract

“…FOFLs are sensitive to the subtle changes of gain and analyte molecules in the microresonator, because the high Q-factor of optical fiber microcavity can extend many times of circulation of photons in the microcavity and the nonlinear lasing process further elevates the sensitivity to the analyte. Typical optical properties of the laser, including wavelength [108], intensity [109,110], polarization [111], and other features, can be used as sensing output to perform biomolecular detection.…”

Section: Biomolecular Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress in Fiber Optofluidic Lasing and Sensing

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fiber optofluidic laser (FOFL) integrates optical fiber microcavity and microfluidic channel and provides many unique advantages for sensing applications. FOFLs not only inherit the advantages of lasers such as high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio, and narrow linewidth, but also hold the unique features of optical fiber, including ease of integration, high repeatability, and low cost. With the development of new fiber structures and fabrication technologies, FOFLs become an important branch of optical fiber sensors, especially for application in biochemical detection. In this paper, the recent progress on FOFL is reviewed. We focuse mainly on the optical fiber resonators, gain medium, and the emerging sensing applications. The prospects for FOFL are also discussed. We believe that the FOFL sensor provides a promising technology for biomedical analysis and environmental monitoring.

show abstract

Distinguishing Small Molecules in Microcavity with Molecular Laser Polarization

Cited by 28 publications

References 30 publications

Laser Emission of Thioflavin T Uncovers Protein Aggregation in Amyloid Nucleation Phase

Laser Emission of Thioflavin T Uncovers Protein Aggregation in Amyloid Nucleation Phase

Fiber Optofluidic Microlasers: Structures, Characteristics, and Applications

Recent Progress in Fiber Optofluidic Lasing and Sensing

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About