Application of optical techniques to investigation and identification of microorganisms: A review

Identification and investigation of microorganisms plays a central role in the diagnostics of infectious diseases; therefore, implementation of novel technologies to advance the research quality represents a topical issue. The possibility to obtain qualitative and quantitative data rapidly and with a high specificity and sensitivity, as well as a low cost and simplicity of the assay are of central importance. This review discusses applications of modern diagnostic techniques that enable investigation of biological systems with a high degree of analytical reliability. The methods of Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and surface plasmon resonance used in modern biosensors are acknowledged as significant and promising research tools. The review describes the major advantages and shortcomings of these methods, as well as the results of their practical implementation. Considerable interest is attracted by modern approaches to studying microorganisms using genetic protein dyes (green fluorescent protein) and nanomaterials (theranostics).