Towards Sensitive, High-Throughput, Biomolecular Assays Based on Fluorescence Lifetime

Time-resolved fluorescence detection for robust sensing of biomolecular interactions is developed by implementing Time Correlated Single Photon Counting in high-throughput conditions. Droplet microfluidics is used as a promising platform for the very fast handling of low-volume samples. We illustrate the potential of this very sensitive and cost-effective technology in the context of an enzymatic activity assay based on fluorescently-labeled biomolecules. Fluorescence lifetime detection by Time Correlated Single Photon Counting is shown to enable reliable discrimination between positive and negative control samples at a throughput as high as several hundred samples per second