Optimization of the limulus amoebocyte lysate test via use of a photonic crystal biosensor

Almost since its discovery, Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing has been a very important part of the pharmaceutical quality control toolkit. It is reliable and highly sensitive under precise conditions. However, because it relies on enzymes that require specific conditions to function optimally, it is susceptible to agents that inhibit and, to a lesser extent, activate the reaction. We propose optimizing the LAL test using a photonic crystal in a total internal reflection configuration open faced biosensor. We theorize it can improve sensitivity by an order of magnitude, and exclude an entire class of LAL inhibitors, which would provide even more validity to the important uses of the LAL test.