Bioluminescence goes portable: recent advances in whole‐cell and cell‐free bioluminescence biosensors

Abstract

Recent advancements in synthetic biology, organic chemistry, and computational models have allowed the application of bioluminescence in several fields, ranging from well established methods for detecting microbial contamination to in vivo imaging to track cancer and stem cells, from cell‐based assays to optogenetics. Moreover, thanks to recent technological progress in miniaturized and sensitive light detectors, such as photodiodes and imaging sensors, it is possible to implement laboratory‐based assays, such as cell‐based and enzymatic assays, into portable analytical devices for point‐of‐care and on‐site applications. This review highlights some recent advances in the development of whole‐cell and cell‐free bioluminescence biosensors with a glance on current challenges and different strategies that have been used to turn bioassays into biosensors with the required analytical performance. Critical issues and unsolved technical problems are also highlighted, to give the reader a taste of this fascinating and challenging field.

Triple Reporter Assay: A Non-Overlapping Luciferase Assay for the Measurement of Complex Macromolecular Regulation in Cancer Cells Using a New Mushroom Luciferase–Luciferin Pair

“…Previous reports suggested that the PIK3CA promoter has binding sites for both p53 and NF-κB [33,34]. Also, in EOC cells, it was shown that p53 acts as a transcriptional repressor of the PIK3CA promoter by directly binding to its promoter sequence [36], whereas in the case of cisplatin-resistant EOC cells, enhanced NF-κB activity is required to develop acquired chemoresistance [14,16]. However, to date, it was unknown whether NF-κB activation may exert indirect control on p53 protein activation and thereby may alter PIK3CA gene regulation.…”

“…It is also worth noting some of the recent development of luciferase-based sensors for in vivo imaging, cell tracking, and biochemical assays [11][12][13]. Luciferases have been used to detect various inhibitors and bioactive products by using handheld devices as well [14]. In particular, NLuc has been used as a sensor for detecting specific DNA or RNA sequences which can be used as a diagnostic tool for disease biomarkers detection [15].…”

Portable light detectors for bioluminescence biosensing applications: A comprehensive review from the analytical chemist's perspective

“…The ability to emit photons without the need of photoexcitation renders BL highly appealing for the implementation into portable and miniaturized devices. BL provided a formidable manifold system relying on different luciferases and luciferin analogues with a wide range of applications spanning from molecular imaging to biosensor development [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Rapid Prototyping Lab-on-Chip Devices for the Future: A Numerical Optimisation of Bulk Optical Parameters in Microfluidic Systems

“…Numerical modelling currently supports the frontier development and application of various scientific and engineering disciplines. There are many numerical modelling and ray-tracing methods that have been developed based on established modelling techniques for luminescence in microfluidic or portable systems [49][50][51][52][53][54]. These methods include applications for analytes of environmental [43,55,56], clinical [49,50,52,57], and forensic interest [53].…”

“…There are many numerical modelling and ray-tracing methods that have been developed based on established modelling techniques for luminescence in microfluidic or portable systems [49][50][51][52][53][54]. These methods include applications for analytes of environmental [43,55,56], clinical [49,50,52,57], and forensic interest [53]. Here we present the foundations of best practices for developing novel radiometric prototypes.…”