This review focuses on metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and its current and future applications in biotechnology. The mechanisms of MEF are discussed in terms of the additional radiative and nonradiative decay rates caused by the close proximity of the metal. We then review the current MEF materials and structures that show promise in bioapplications. The use of electromagnetic modelling to predict fluorescent rate enhancement is then considered. We then give particular focus to the recent work carried out in the homogeneous fabrication of metal nanoparticles using colloidal lithography. It is concluded that the use of computational electromagnetic modelling alongside homogeneous fabrication techniques will lead to predictable and controllable MEF, paving the way for increased applications in biotechnology.

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We discuss the phenomenon of enhanced fluorescence in the proximity of metal nanostructures addressing the question of how much fluorescence signal can be obtained from fluorophores in such altered environments. We review its applicability for the methodologies used in the life science, such as immunoassays, flow cytometry and bioimaging. Experimental and theoretical scenarios employing various metal nanostructures - such as homogeneous enhancing substrates, fluorescence-enhancing microbeads, and metal core-dielectric shell nanocomposites - are described.