Luminescent Imaging of Biological Molecules and Cells on the Photonic Crystal Surface

Photonic crystal based on synthetic opal is considered as an effective substrate for the imaging of DNA and cells without special staining. Luminescent properties of photonic crystals and DNA on the surface of photonic crystals were measured and analyzed. Possible mechanisms of improved DNA imaging caused by light localization effects or energy transfer from the photonic silica host to DNA are discussed.