Roadmap for light interaction with biophotonic surfaces and their diverse applications

Abstract

Significance Biophotonics has advanced through many discoveries, yet challenges remain, including label-free biomolecular specificity, quantitative imaging, and single-molecule detection. Progress is further constrained by the need for cheaper, lighter, miniaturized materials that still meet strict optical, electrical, and mechanical specifications. This limitation can be overcome if bioinspired structures are developed. One of the developed areas in which solutions in nature are used is micro and nanostructures including nanosurfaces. It offers a way to increase biomolecular specificity and develop lightweight, low-cost devices for biomedicine. However, it requires measuring phenomena in materials and testing these materials in applications, e.g., sensing systems. Aim We offer a concise, authoritative overview of biophotonics—from nanoscale light–biomolecule interactions to bioinspired materials, phantoms, test methods, and sensor development. Approach A coherent and comprehensive analysis of the crucial problems related to the development of bioinspired materials and devices was carried out. Recent advances in light scattering by biological surfaces enable structure characterization, disease diagnosis, red-blood-cell analysis, drug discovery, and optical imaging and sensing. Structural and genetic bases of biological photonic surfaces were examined, alongside key performance factors in bio-inspired materials—biocompatibility, biodegradability, structure-optics coupling (e.g., dynamic color change), and scalability limits. We survey chiral nanomaterials, silica frustules, and artificial surfaces that emulate peacock feathers, butterfly wings, iridescent fruits, plant petals, and beetle cuticles, highlighting complementary diagnostics—omics, hyperspectral, and terahertz imaging—for structural analysis and material innovation. We examine bio-inspired phantoms for medical calibration, recent advances in Monte Carlo tissue light-transport modeling, and the resulting applications of these materials and diagnostic tools. Results Results confirm a broad set of tunable bio-inspired materials: key optical phenomena were mapped, structures fabricated and modeled, phantoms validated, and strong sensor potential demonstrated. Conclusions We survey emerging biophotonics, review material and system requirements, and emphasize simplifying and miniaturizing sensors for biomedical use.