Trends of Bead Counting-Based Technologies Toward the Detection of Disease-Related Biomarkers.

Nowadays, the biomolecular assay platforms built-up based on bead counting technologies have emerged to be powerful tools for the sensitive and high-throughput detection of disease biomarkers. In this mini-review, we classified the bead counting technologies into statistical counting platforms and digital counting platforms. The design principles, the readout strategies, as well as the pros and cons of these platforms are introduced in detail. Finally, we point out that the digital bead counting technologies will lead the future trend for the absolute quantification of critical biomarkers, and the integration of new signal amplification approaches and routine optical/clinical instruments may provide new opportunities in building-up easily accessible digital assay platforms.