Integrated detection of intrinsic fluorophores in live microbial cells using an array of thin film amorphous silicon photodetectors

Two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (2D FS) provides a non-invasive means to assess cell condition without the introduction of changes to the cell environment. The method relies on the measurement of the excitation–emission fluorescence intensity matrix of key intrinsic fluorophores, like aromatic amino acids, enzyme cofactors, and vitamins. Commonly used detection systems are complex, with multiple bandpass filters, and are hard to miniaturize. Here, an amorphous silicon photodetector array system integrated with amorphous silicon–carbon alloy filters designed to detect three key fluorophores – tryptophan (Trp), reduced nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) – is demonstrated. These intrinsic fluorophores were detected in pure solutions and also in suspended yeast cells. The array system was used to monitor changes in intrinsic fluorophore concentration when a yeast cell solution was subject to a thermal shock stress.

► Miniaturization of two-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (2D-FS) is proposed.
► Amorphous silicon photodiode array with integrated filters is used.
► Three intrinsic fluorophores – Trp, NADH and FAD – are optically detected.
► Metabolic concentration range of intrinsic fluorophores can be monitored by device.