Towards sorting of biolibraries using single-molecule fluorescence detection techniques.

The selection of specific binding molecules like peptides and proteins from biolibraries using, for instance, phage display methods can be quite time-consuming. It is therefore desirable to develop a strategy that is much faster in selection and sorting of potential binders out of a biolibrary. In this contribution we separately discuss the current achievements in generation of biolibraries, single-molecule detection techniques and microfluidic devices. A high-throughput microfluidic platform is then proposed that combines the propulsion of liquid containing fluorescent components of the biolibrary through microchannels, single-molecule fluorescence photon burst detection and real-time sorting of positive hits. © 2004 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.