Laser-emitting aqueous bioreactors for ultrasensitive bioactivity analysis.

Fang, G; Tseng, P-H; Liao, J; Zhu, S; Zhou, T; Liu, H; Zhu, H; Jin, D; Yang, L; Chen, Y-C

Laser-emitting aqueous bioreactors for ultrasensitive bioactivity analysis.

Fang, G

Tseng, P-H Liao, J Zhu, S Zhou, T Liu, H Zhu, H Jin, D

Yang, L Chen, Y-C

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Publisher:: NATL ACAD SCIENCES
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2025, 122, (34), pp. e2425829122-e2425829122
Issue Date:: 2025-08-26

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fang, G https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5457-7030
dc.contributor.author	Tseng, P-H
dc.contributor.author	Liao, J
dc.contributor.author	Zhu, S
dc.contributor.author	Zhou, T
dc.contributor.author	Liu, H
dc.contributor.author	Zhu, H
dc.contributor.author	Jin, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1046-2666
dc.contributor.author	Yang, L
dc.contributor.author	Chen, Y-C
dc.date.accessioned	2026-01-15T23:25:32Z
dc.date.available	2026-01-15T23:25:32Z
dc.date.issued	2025-08-26
dc.identifier.citation	Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2025, 122, (34), pp. e2425829122-e2425829122
dc.identifier.issn	0027-8424
dc.identifier.issn	1091-6490
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191875
dc.description.abstract	Water droplets, acting as natural bioreactors and optical whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators, hold the potential for laser-assisted analysis. However, water/aqueous droplet lasers can only survive in air with a limited lifespan (<100 s) due to rapid evaporation, restricting their applications in bioreactions. To address this challenge, we introduce laser-emitting aqueous bioreactors (LEABs) in fluorocarbon oils. These LEABs enable stable laser emission and extend a droplet lifespan over 1,000-fold. LEABs enable the encapsulation of bioactive materials for long-term analysis with unique lasing characteristic fingerprints. The reactions within LEAB can interact with the most resonating light, enhancing detection sensitivity by over 100-fold compared to conventional WGM sensors. By integrating LEABs with microfluidic droplet technology, we demonstrated their application in monitoring enzyme activity and cellular metabolism at single-cell and multicellular levels. Furthermore, we showed the laser threshold-gated screening of single yeast. This platform can bridge the gap between laser technology and biochemical applications, broadening the scope of laser-based analysis.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	NATL ACAD SCIENCES
dc.relation.ispartof	Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1073/pnas.2425829122
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.mesh	Bioreactors
dc.subject.mesh	Lasers
dc.subject.mesh	Saccharomyces cerevisiae
dc.subject.mesh	Water
dc.subject.mesh	Lasers
dc.subject.mesh	Bioreactors
dc.subject.mesh	Water
dc.subject.mesh	Saccharomyces cerevisiae
dc.subject.mesh	Saccharomyces cerevisiae
dc.subject.mesh	Water
dc.subject.mesh	Bioreactors
dc.subject.mesh	Lasers
dc.subject.mesh	Lasers
dc.subject.mesh	Bioreactors
dc.subject.mesh	Water
dc.subject.mesh	Saccharomyces cerevisiae
dc.title	Laser-emitting aqueous bioreactors for ultrasensitive bioactivity analysis.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	122
utslib.location.activity	United States
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Biomedical Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Institute of Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-01-15T23:25:30Z
pubs.issue	34
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	122
utslib.citation.issue	34

Abstract:

Water droplets, acting as natural bioreactors and optical whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators, hold the potential for laser-assisted analysis. However, water/aqueous droplet lasers can only survive in air with a limited lifespan (<100 s) due to rapid evaporation, restricting their applications in bioreactions. To address this challenge, we introduce laser-emitting aqueous bioreactors (LEABs) in fluorocarbon oils. These LEABs enable stable laser emission and extend a droplet lifespan over 1,000-fold. LEABs enable the encapsulation of bioactive materials for long-term analysis with unique lasing characteristic fingerprints. The reactions within LEAB can interact with the most resonating light, enhancing detection sensitivity by over 100-fold compared to conventional WGM sensors. By integrating LEABs with microfluidic droplet technology, we demonstrated their application in monitoring enzyme activity and cellular metabolism at single-cell and multicellular levels. Furthermore, we showed the laser threshold-gated screening of single yeast. This platform can bridge the gap between laser technology and biochemical applications, broadening the scope of laser-based analysis.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/191875