The optical biosensor technologies include two very different fiber optic biosensors, planar waveguides, and the displacement flow sensors, as well as sensors based on time-resolved fluorescence, electrochemiluminescence, surface plasmon resonance, resonant mirrors, and interferometry. The science for future technology development includes four different methods for producing new recognition elements (genetic engineering of proteins, chemical synthesis, combinatorial selection of nucleotide-based receptors, and molecular imprinting), two methods for immobilizing receptors on biosensors (sol gels and semi-synthetic membranes), two methods for producing very bright signals (PEBBLES and quantum dots), and soft lithography for surface patterning and microfluidics.
