Biophotonics techniques are rapidly advancing thanks to new developments in Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array technologies enabling sensitive time-resolved detection in Geiger mode. Such SiPMs detectors are facilitating a wide range of applications, from photo-biomodulation, to cancer treatment and environment biosensing. Compared to photomultiplier tubes traditionally used for photon counting, SiPM detectors combine high sensitivity with miniaturization and ruggedized packaging, operated at low voltage, and with immunity to magnetic field interference. We present here our recent advances in the opto-electronic design, development, and characterization of new, low-cost, portable, Geiger mode single photon counting biosensor devices, enabling ultra-low intensity light emission measurements from biological specimens using a SiPM. A range of promising new time-resolved biophotonics probes integrating these solid-state single-photon avalanche diode arrays will be presented here, from environmental surveillance of photosynthetic disruption in plants, to acoustic- stimulated bioluminescence analysis of single cell algae. Finally, we will discuss our recent advances in the development of a SiPM-based high speed-pump-probe instrument for rapid monitoring of molecular pO2 in applications of cancer phototherapy and dosimetry.
