# Detection Limit for Optically Sensing Specific Protein Interactions in Free-solution

Source: [Detection Limit for Optically Sensing Specific Protein Interactions in Free-solution](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa36d01e209131ce8ad2a7>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-24T22:02:16.793Z

Authors: Harish Sasikumar, Manoj M. Varma

Published: 2017-12-01T08:10:32.000Z

## Abstract

Optical molecular sensing techniques are often limited by the refractive index change associated with the probed interactions. In this work, we present a closed form analytical model to estimate the magnitude of optical refractive index change arising from protein-protein interactions. The model, based on the Maxwell Garnett effective medium theory and first order chemical kinetics serves as a general framework for estimating the detection limits of optical sensing of molecular interactions. The model is applicable to situations where one interacting species is immobilized to a surface, as commonly done, or to emerging techniques such as Back-Scattering Interferometry (BSI) where both interacting species are un-tethered. Our findings from this model point to the strong role of as yet unidentified factors in the origin of the BSI signal resulting in significant deviation from linear optical response.

## Recorded benchmark results

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/1712.00224>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/1712.00224.pdf>)