Single-molecule detection (SMD) has shown to be a high-impact research
field that could be developed based on nanoscale control with optical setups. In this
way, different device and instrumental approaches could be implemented in
biophotonic studies at SMD levels. For these reasons, varied designs of nanoplatforms,
optical resonators, optical trapping, nano-patterned surfaces, and modified chemical
surfaces are reviewed for SMD applications. In all these developments, signal
transduction and enhancement led to the success of the targeted application. Therefore,
we discuss here plasmonic [67] and enhanced plasmonic (EP) approaches, enhanced
fluorescence signaling based on metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and plasmonic
resonators, nanoantennas, and targeted molecular interactions by chemical modification
of surfaces.
Keywords: Biophotonics, Molecular recognition, Nanophotonics, Optical
resonator, Plasmonic nanoplatform, Single-molecule detection (SMD).
