SPR and SPR Imaging: Recent Trends in Developing Nanodevices for Detection and Real-Time Monitoring of Biomolecular Events

Abstract

In this paper we review the underlying principles of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique, particularly emphasizing its advantages along with its limitations regarding the ability to discriminate between the specific binding response and the interfering effects from biological samples. While SPR sensors were developed almost three decades, SPR detection is not yet able to reduce the time-consuming steps of the analysis, and is hardly amenable for miniaturized, portable platforms required in point-of-care (POC) testing. Recent advances in near-field optics have emerged, resulting in the development of SPR imaging (SPRi) as a powerful optical, label-free monitoring tool for multiplexed detection and monitoring of biomolecular events. The microarrays design of the SPRi chips incorporating various metallic nanostructures make these optofluidic devices more suitable for diagnosis and near-patient testing than the traditional SPR sensors. The latest developments indicate SPRi detection as being the most promising surface plasmon-based technique fulfilling the demands for implementation in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies.

Measuring ultra-low levels of nucleotide biomarkers using quartz crystal microbalance and SPR microarray imaging methods: A comparative analysis

“…16 Surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) 17− is an emerging technique that is superior to conventional SPR for in situ detection of biomolecular interactions in real-time in a single microarray platform. 20,21 SPRi offers simplicity and higher throughput compared to the conventional single sample analysis by allowing measurements at a fixed angle of incidence to directly collect reflectivity changes (ΔR%) across an array of gold spots. 22 Furthermore, the SPRi microarray requires less assay time than conventional SPR to analyze several replicates at once leading to high precision.…”

Investigation of the performance of thermally generated gold nanoislands for LSPR and SERS applications

“…The advantages of sensors based on SPR are the high sensitivity and possibility of parallel measurements. If the surface is patterned with different chemicals or biomolecules, the use of adequate optics and imaging sensors allows developing a surface plasmon resonance imaging technique, which has a contrast increasing based on a number of absorbed molecules [5][6][7].…”

Label-free, real-time on-chip sensing of living cancer cell via grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance

“…Indeed, in SPR imaging, signal results from amplitude modulation at a fixed angle, unlike GC-SPR where a phase angle scan is performed. Because they are based on intensity interrogation, SPR imaging sensors suffer from worse performance with respect to angle scanning systems ( [20] and for a complete review see [21]). In conclusion, our methodological approach results in good resolution, compact, inexpensive and very simple cell detection setup, and opens for further research strategies based on the integration of the sensitive grating into a microfluidic chamber that could improve cell biology studies.…”