Self-Assembled Biophotonic Lasing Network Driven by Amyloid Fibrils in Microcavities

Abstract

Self-assembled biological structures have played a significant role in many living systems for its functionality and distinctiveness. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that the random dynamic behavior of strong light–matter interactions in complex biological structures can provide hidden information on optical coupling in a network. The concept of biophotonic lasing network is therefore introduced, where a self-assembled human amyloid fibril network was confined in a Fabry–Perot optical cavity. Distinctive lasing patterns were discovered from self-assembled amyloids with different structural dimensions (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D) confined in a microcavity. Network laser emission exhibiting evidence of light coupling at different wavelengths and locations was spectrally resolved. Dynamic changes of lasing patterns can therefore be interpreted into a graph to reveal the optical correlation in biophotonic networks. Our findings indicate that each graph represents the highly unclonable features of a self-assembled network which can sensitively respond to environmental stimulus. This study offers the potential for studying dynamic biological networks through amplified interactions, shedding light on the development of biologically controlled photonic devices, biosensing, and information encryption.

Cavity Lasing Characteristics of Thioflavin T and Thioflavin X in Different Solvents and Their Interaction with DNA for the Controlled Reduction of a Light Amplification Threshold in Solid-State Biofilms

“…The mirror cavity provides strong optical feedback that can be used to detect subtle molecular changes in the gain medium. , The advantage of the cavity lasing is also the possibility of studying biomolecules in liquid, which is more convenient than a solid phase for elucidating the influence of external factors on the biomolecule structure. In the case of dye-stained biomolecules, fluorophores act as gain materials in the cavity and are providing information on the biomolecule structure.…”

Monitoring Amyloidogenesis with a 3D Deep-Learning-Guided Biolaser Imaging Array

“…24,25 Recent studies in biolasers have also demonstrated their capability to detect structural changes in biological gain materials or microcavities. 26,27 For instance, Piotr et al demonstrated amplified stimulated emission with ThT oligomers in solidstate thin films, where different conformations would lead to changes in the lasing threshold. 16 Zhang et al developed a whispering gallery mode (WGM) biolaser by incorporating fluorescein sodium salt into silk fibroin microspheres, and the structural change of the silk fibroin is observed extrinsically from changes of lasing wavelength shifts.…”

“…Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as laser gain in the cavity matrix to observe the physical transformational change as it can bind with insulin protein via electrostatic interactions. 26 Figure 2a shows the underlying resonant mechanism of lasing action in the microdroplet biolaser. The lasing action of the microdroplet resonator exhibits a vertically oriented oscillation arc-like (AL) mode.…”

“…Unlike conventional fluorescence-based sensing systems, biological lasers utilize biological materials as part of their gain medium or cavity . Thanks to the strong optical feedback provided by the cavity, a small change in the gain material is significantly amplified, leading to a high signal-to-noise ratio, , high sensitivity toward minute changes in the bioprocesses, , threshold behavior which eradicates interfering background signals, and narrow line width that facilitates monitoring of biological processes. , Recent studies in biolasers have also demonstrated their capability to detect structural changes in biological gain materials or microcavities. , For instance, Piotr et al demonstrated amplified stimulated emission with ThT oligomers in solid-state thin films, where different conformations would lead to changes in the lasing threshold . Zhang et al developed a whispering gallery mode (WGM) biolaser by incorporating fluorescein sodium salt into silk fibroin microspheres, and the structural change of the silk fibroin is observed extrinsically from changes of lasing wavelength shifts .…”

“…Arrays of microdroplets containing native insulin serving as an amyloid model were printed on a hydrophobic mirror (Figure S1). Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as laser gain in the cavity matrix to observe the physical transformational change as it can bind with insulin protein via electrostatic interactions Figure a shows the underlying resonant mechanism of lasing action in the microdroplet biolaser.…”