J. Eur. Opt. Society-Rapid Publ. 2026, 22, 10 Ó The Author( s), published by EDP Sciences, 2026 https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / jeos / 2026005 Available online at: https:// jeos. edpsciences. org
Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications
REVIEW ARTICLE
Research on biological detection technology based on fluorescence principles
Maojie Jiang 1,*
, Yanna Lin 1, Peng Yin 1, Xiangyu Jiang 1, Mengjie Huang 1, Baihui Zhang 1, Xuan Fang 1, and Fuqiang Ma 1, 2,*
1 Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials and Medical Devices in Weihai, Shandong 264200, PR China 2 Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Suzhou 215163, PR China
Received 16 December 2025 / Accepted 16 January 2026
Abstract. Biological detection technology plays an important role in the fields of disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring and food safety. Among them, detection technology based on optical principle has the advantages of high sensitivity, fast response and non-destructive, which has led to its rapid development. In this review, we systematically review the principles, progress and applications of fluorescence detection, which achieves ultrasensitive detection and dynamic monitoring of biomolecules through the strategies of fluorescence labeling, fluorescence lifetime imaging, fluorescence polarization immunoassay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. In the future, the combination of multiple technologies, intelligent data analysis, and portable device development will become important directions for the development of optical detection technology, further promoting its application in precision medicine and environmental monitoring.
Keywords: Fluorescence detection, Fluorescent labeling, Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, Fluorescence polarization immunoassay, Fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
1 Introduction
With the deepening of life science research and the enhancement of health needs, bioassay technology has demonstrated significant application value in key areas such as disease diagnosis, drug discovery and development, environmental monitoring and food safety. Although the capability of biological detection technology has been greatly improved with the development of various technologies, researchers still need to face several key scientific issues and technological challenges:( 1) The intrinsic complexity of biological samples( e. g., blood, tissue) introduces significant background noise, non-specific adsorption and matrix effects in samples seriously affect the accuracy and reproducibility of analysis results. Developing efficient matrix management strategies has become the key to improving detection sensitivity [ 1 ];( 2) The insufficient ability of multi detection makes it difficult for existing technologies to synchronously achieve multi index analysis, which seriously limits its application in systems biology research [ 2, 3 ];( 3) The gap between on-site testing needs and laboratory performance, as well as the lack of a standardization
* Corresponding authors: 15684511154 @ 163. com( Maojie Jiang); mafuqiang318 @ sibet. ac. cn( Fuqiang Ma) system, constrains the clinical translation and industrial promotion of the technology [ 4 ].
With its unique advantages( high sensitivity, fast response, non-destructive and real-time monitoring capability) [ 5 – 8 ], optical detection technology has become a core driving force for the development of bio-detection technology. The development of fluorescent tools, particularly the emergence of various fluorescent sensors, has brought revolutionary breakthroughs in our ability to deeply explore biological dynamic processes at the cellular level. By integrating probes such as small-molecule dyes and fluorescent proteins, these sensors have successfully enabled real-time monitoring and quantitative analysis of cellular characteristics, including proteins, RNA, DNA, small molecules, as well as pH and membrane potential [ 9 ]. In the field of medical diagnosis, the breakthrough progress of optical detection technology has provided a revolutionary tool for early screening and accurate diagnosis and treatment of major diseases. Liquid biopsy technology represented by circulating tumor DNA detection, for example, has realized a major leap from theory to clinical application of early cancer diagnosis through ultra-high sensitivity optical detection method [ 10 – 12 ]. In food safety monitoring, optical biosensing technology provides innovative solutions to key quality control issues such as pesticide residues. Rapid testing platforms based on optical principles not only meet the
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