Silicon photomultiplier (SPM) detection of low-level bioluminescence for the development of deployable whole-cell biosensors: Possibilities and limitations

► We compare silicon photomultiplier and photomultiplier tube devices. ► Operational characteristics with bioluminescent bacterial bioreporters are examined. ► Cooled silicon photomultipliers provide better photon detection capacities. ► Bioreporter integrations still require more sensitive photon capture devices.