Recent developments and future directions in SERS for bioanalysis

Highly narrow nanogap-containing Au@Au core-shell SERS nanoparticles: size-dependent Raman enhancement and applications in cancer cell imaging

Cellular imaging technologies employing metallic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags have gained much interest toward clinical diagnostics, but they are still suffering from poor controlled distribution of hot spots and reproducibility of SERS signals. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of high narrow nanogap-containing Au@Au core-shell SERS nanoparticles (GCNPs) for the identification and imaging of proteins overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. First, plasmonic nanostructures are made of gold nanoparticles (∼15 nm) coated with gold shells, between which a highly narrow and uniform nanogap (∼1.1 nm) is formed owing to polyA anchored on the Au cores. The well controlled distribution of Raman reporter molecules, such as 4,4'-dipyridyl (44DP) and 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), are readily encoded in the nanogap and can generate strong, reproducible SERS signals. In addition, we have investigated the size-dependent SERS activity of GCNPs and found that with the same laser wavelength, the Raman enhancement discriminated between particle sizes. The maximum Raman enhancement was achieved at a certain threshold of particle size (∼76 nm). High narrow nanogap-containing Au@Au core-shell SERS tags (GCTs) were prepared via the functionalization of hyaluronic acid (HA) on GCNPs, which recognized the CD44 receptor, a tumor-associated surface biomarker. And it was shown that GCTs have a good targeting ability to tumour cells and promising prospects for multiplex biomarker detection.

Ultrasensitive, Multiplex Raman Frequency Shift Immunoassay of Liver Cancer Biomarkers in Physiological Media

Highly sensitive multiplex biomarker detection is critical for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. Here, a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) frequency-shift immunoassay is developed for detection of liver cancer biomarkers α-fetoprotein and Glypican-3 down to subpicomolar concentrations in saline solution. A high temperature modification of the Tollen's method affords silver nanoparticle films with excellent SERS response upon which ordered domains of Raman reporters are chemisorbed by microcontact printing. Shifts in the reporters SERS spectrum in response to a bound antibody's biomarker recognition constitutes the frequency shift assay, exhibiting here exceptional sensitivity and specificity and shown to function in fetal calf serum and in the serum of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nanostructure-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensors for nucleic acids and proteins

Detection of nucleic acid and protein targets related to human health and safety has attracted widespread attention. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful tool for biomarker detection because of its ultrahigh detection sensitivity and unique fingerprinting spectra. In this review, we first introduce the development of nanostructure-based SERS-active substrates and SERS nanotags, which greatly influence the performance of SERS biosensors. We then focus on recent advances in SERS biosensors for DNA, microRNA and protein determination, including label-free, labeled and multiplex analyses as well as in vivo imaging. Finally, the prospects and challenges of such nanostructure-based SERS biosensors are discussed.

Sensitive SERS nanotags for use with 1550 nm (retina-safe) laser excitation

1550 nm SERS nanotags have been developed to provide effective SERS with picomolar detection limits when excited with a retina-safe laser.

Prospects for point-of-care pathogen diagnostics using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

This review highlights recent advances in the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in pathogen detection and discusses many of the challenges in moving this technology to the point-of-care (POC) arena.

DNA templated self-assembly of gold nanoparticle clusters in the colorimetric detection of plant viral DNA using a gold nanoparticle conjugated bifunctional oligonucleotide probe

The DNA templated self-assembly of gold nanoparticles clustered in different configurations (nn = 2–∞) was investigated in the colorimetric detection of ToLCNDV DNA using a gold nanoparticle conjugated bifunctional oligonucleotide probe.

Highly-repeatable generation of very small nanoparticles by pulsed-laser ablation in liquids of a high-speed rotating target

Very small and pure Ag nanoparticles are generated by pulsed-laser ablation in water of a silver target rotated at a high-speed.

Biosensors and nanobiosensors for therapeutic drug and response monitoring

Review of different biosensors and nanobiosensors increasingly used in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for pharmaceutical drugs with dosage limitations or toxicity issues and for therapeutic response monitoring.

Quantitative multiplexed simulated-cell identification by SERS in microfluidic devices

A reliable identification of cells on the basis of their surface markers is of great interest for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. We present a multiplexed labeling and detection strategy that is applied to four microparticle populations, each mimicking cellular or bacterial samples with varying surface concentrations of up to four epitopes, using four distinct biotags that are meant to be used in conjunction with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) instead of fluorescence, together with microfluidics. Four populations of 6 μm polystyrene beads were incubated with different mixtures, "cocktails" of four SERS biotags (SBTs), simulating the approach that one would follow when seeking to identify multiple biomarkers encountered in biological applications. Populations were flowed in a microfluidic flow-focusing device and the SERS signal from individual beads was acquired during continuous flow. The spectrally rich SERS spectra enabled us to separate confidently the populations by utilizing principal component analysis (PCA). Also, using classical least squares (CLS), we were able to calculate the contributions of each SBT to the overall signal in each of the populations, and showed that the relative SBT contributions are consistent with the nominal percentage of each marker originally designed into that bead population, by functionalizing it with a given SBT cocktail. Our results demonstrate the multiplexing capability of SBTs in potential applications such as immunophenotyping.

Sensing of p53 and EGFR Biomarkers Using High Efficiency SERS Substrates

In this paper we describe a method for the determination of protein concentration using Surface Enhanced Raman Resonance Scattering (SERRS) immunoassays. We use two different Raman active linkers, 4-aminothiophenol and 6-mercaptopurine, to bind to a high sensitivity SERS substrate and investigate the influence of varying concentrations of p53 and EGFR on the Raman spectra. Perturbations in the spectra are due to the influence of protein-antibody binding on Raman linker molecules and are attributed to small changes in localised mechanical stress, which are enhanced by SERRS. These influences are greatest for peaks due to the C-S functional group and the Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) was found to be inversely proportional to protein concentration.

Intense Raman scattering on hybrid Au/Ag nanoplatforms for the distinction of MMP-9-digested collagen type-I fiber detection

Well-ordered Au-nanorod arrays were fabricated using the focused ion beam method (denoted as fibAu_NR). Au or Ag nanoclusters (NCs) of various sizes and dimensions were then deposited on the fibAu_NR arrays using electron beam deposition to improve the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect, which was verified using a low concentration of crystal violet (10(-)(5)M) as the probe molecule. An enhancement factor of 6.92 × 10(8) was obtained for NCsfibAu_NR, which is attributed to the combination of intra-NC and NR localized surface plasmon resonance. When 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT)-coated Au or Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were attached to NCsfibAu_NR, the small gaps between 4-ABT-coated NPs and intra-NCs allowed detection at the single-molecule level. Hotspots formed at the interfaces of NCs/NRs and NPs/NCs at a high density, producing a strong local electromagnetic effect. Raman spectra from as-prepared type I collagen (Col-I) and Ag-NP-coated Col-I fibers on NCsfibAu_NR were compared to determine the quantity of amino acids in their triple helix structure. Various concentrations of matrix-metalloproteinase-9-digested Col-I fibers on NCsfibAu_NR were qualitatively examined at a Raman laser wavelength of 785nm to determine the changes of amino acids in the Col-I fiber structure. The results can be used to monitor the growth of healing Col-I fibers in a micro-environment.

Nanoscopic optical rulers beyond the FRET distance limit: fundamentals and applications

In the last few decades, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based spectroscopy rulers have served as a key tool for the understanding of chemical and biochemical processes, even at the single molecule level. Since the FRET process originates from dipole-dipole interactions, the length scale of a FRET ruler is limited to a maximum of 10 nm. Recently, scientists have reported a nanomaterial based long-range optical ruler, where one can overcome the FRET optical ruler distance dependence limit, and which can be very useful for monitoring biological processes that occur across a greater distance than the 10 nm scale. Advancement of nanoscopic long range optical rulers in the last ten years indicate that, in addition to their long-range capability, their brightness, long lifetime, lack of blinking, and chemical stability make nanoparticle based rulers a good choice for long range optical probes. The current review discusses the basic concepts and unique light-focusing properties of plasmonic nanoparticles which are useful in the development of long range one dimensional to three dimensional optical rulers. In addition, to provide the readers with an overview of the exciting opportunities within this field, this review discusses the applications of long range rulers for monitoring biological and chemical processes. At the end, we conclude by speculating on the role of long range optical rulers in future scientific research and discuss possible problems, outlooks and future needs in the use of optical rulers for technological applications.

Differentiation of MCF-7 tumor cells from leukocytes and fibroblast cells using epithelial cell adhesion molecule targeted multicore surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy labels

Identification of tumor and normal cells is a promising application of Raman spectroscopy. The throughput of Raman-assisted cell sorting is limited by low sensitivity. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a well-recognized candidate to increase the intensity of Raman signals of cells. First, different strategies are summarized to detect tumor cells using targeted SERS probes. Then, a protocol is described to prepare multicore-SERS-labels (MSLs) by aggregating gold nanoparticles, coating with a reporter molecule and a thin silver shell to further boost enhancement, encapsulating with a stable silica layer, and functionalizing by epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies. Raman, dark field and fluorescence microscopy proved the specific and nonspecific binding of functionalized and nonfunctionalized MSLs to MCF-7 tumor cells, leukocytes from blood, and nontransformed human foreskin fibroblasts. Raman imaging and dark field microscopy indicated no uptake of MSLs, yet binding to the cellular membrane. Viability tests were performed with living tumor cells to demonstrate the low toxicity of MSL-EpCAM. The SERS signatures were detected from cells with exposure times down to 25 ms at 785-nm laser excitation. The prospects of these MSLs in multiplex assays, for enumeration and sorting of circulating tumor cells in microfluidic chips, are discussed.

A new calibration concept for a reproducible quantitative detection based on SERS measurements in a microfluidic device demonstrated on the model analyte adenine

This study demonstrates a new concept of calibrating surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensities without using additional substances as an internal standard and explores factors such as laser fluctuation and different Ag substrates, which affect the results of quantitative analyses based on SERS. To demonstrate the capabilities of the concept, the model analyte adenine has been chosen. A lab-on-a-chip device is applied for the measurements to guarantee consistent data recording. In order to simulate varied measuring conditions, two varying silver colloids (batch 1 and 2) are utilized as a SERS substrate and two different laser power levels (25 or 55 mW) are applied on the sample. A concentration gradient was generated which allows the use of the analyte itself for the correction of the resulting SERS spectra regarding intensity deviations caused by different ambient conditions. In doing so, a vast improvement in the quantification using SERS, especially in view of the comparability, reproducibility and repeatability, is demonstrated.

Extreme red shifted SERS nanotags

Surfaced enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags operating with 1280 nm excitation were constructed from reporter molecules selected from a library of 14 chalcogenopyrylium dyes containing phenyl, 2-thienyl, and 2-selenophenyl substituents and a surface of hollow gold nanoshells (HGNs). These 1280 SERS nanotags are unique as they have multiple chalcogen atoms available which allow them to adsorb strongly onto the gold surface of the HGN thus producing exceptional SERS signals at this long excitation wavelength. Picomolar limits of detection (LOD) were observed and individual reporters of the library were identified by principal component analysis and classified according to their unique structure and SERS spectra.

Analytical characterization using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and microfluidic sampling

With the rapid development of analytical techniques, it has become much easier to detect chemical and biological analytes, even at very low detection limits. In recent years, techniques based on vibrational spectroscopy, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), have been developed for non-destructive detection of pathogenic microorganisms. SERS is a highly sensitive analytical tool that can be used to characterize chemical and biological analytes interacting with SERS-active substrates. However, it has always been a challenge to obtain consistent and reproducible SERS spectroscopic results at complicated experimental conditions. Microfluidics, a tool for highly precise manipulation of small volume liquid samples, can be used to overcome the major drawbacks of SERS-based techniques. High reproducibility of SERS measurement could be obtained in continuous flow generated inside microfluidic devices. This article provides a thorough review of the principles, concepts and methods of SERS-microfluidic platforms, and the applications of such platforms in trace analysis of chemical and biological analytes.

Effect of adsorbed molecules on surface-enhanced Raman scattering of metal/molecule/metal junctions

Effect of microenvironments on molecular junctions can be elucidated by variation in surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 4-aminothiophenol interconnected in silver/4-aminothiophenol/silver junctions modified with different molecules.

Preparation of a silver nanoparticle-based dual-functional sensor using a complexation–reduction method

A dual-functional sensor based on silver nanoparticles was synthesized by a two-stage procedure consisting of a low-temperature chitosan–Ag⁺ complexation followed by a high-temperature reduction of the complex to form chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles (CS-capped Ag NPs).

Laser induced SERS switching using plasmonic heating of PNIPAM coated HGNs

Laser induced plasmonic heating of PNIPAM coated HGNs turning ‘on and off’ the SERS enhancement.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering behaviour of 4-mercaptophenyl boronic acid on assembled silver nanoparticles

SERS properties of 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) on AgNPs were studied systematically; a self-condensation reaction of 4-MPBA, competitor of the binding of glucose, was found to preferentially happen at higher pH values.

Investigation of the Kinetics of a Surface Photocatalytic Reaction in Two Dimensions with Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering

Heterogeneous catalysis is a surface phenomenon. Yet, though the catalysis itself takes place on surfaces, the reactants and products rapidly take the form of another physical state, as either a liquid or a gas. Catalytic reactions within a self‐assembled monolayer are confined within two dimensions, as the molecules involved do not leave the surface. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy is an ideal technique to probe these self‐assembled monolayers as it gives molecular information in a measured volume limited to the surface. We show how surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy can be used to determine the reaction kinetics of a two‐dimensional reaction. As a proof of principle, we study the photocatalytic reduction of p‐nitrothiophenol. A study of the reaction rate and dilution effects leads to the conclusion that a dimerization must take place as one of the reaction steps.

Simple SERS substrates: powerful, portable, and full of potential

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful spectroscopic technique capable of detecting trace amounts of chemicals and identifying them based on their unique vibrational characteristics. While there are many complex methods for fabricating SERS substrates, there has been a recent shift towards the development of simple, low cost fabrication methods that can be performed in most labs or even in the field. The potential of SERS for widespread use will likely be realized only with development of cheaper, simpler methods. In this Perspective article we briefly review several of the more popular methods for SERS substrate fabrication, discuss the characteristics of simple SERS substrates, and examine several methods for producing simple SERS substrates. We highlight potential applications and future directions for simple SERS substrates, focusing on highly SERS active three-dimensional nanostructures fabricated by inkjet and screen printing and galvanic displacement for portable SERS analysis - an area that we believe has exciting potential for future research and commercialization.

Highly sensitive detection of zearalenone in feed samples using competitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering immunoassay

Accurate and quantitative analysis of mycotoxin (such as zearalenone) is particularly imperative in the field of food safety and animal husbandry. Here, we develop a sensitive and specific method for zearalenone detection using competitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immunoassay. In this assay, a functional gold nanoparticle was labeled with the Raman reporter and the zearalenone antibody, and a modified substrate was assembled with the zearalenone-bovine serum albumin. With the addition of free zearalenone, the competitive immune reaction between free zearalenone and zearalenone-bovine serum albumin was initiated for binding with zearalenone antibody labeled on gold nanoparticle, resulting in the change of SERS signal intensity. The proposed method exhibits high sensitivity with a detection limit of 1 pg/mL and a wide dynamic range from 1 to 1000 pg/mL. Furthermore, this method can be further applied to analyze the multiple natural feed samples contaminated with zearalenone, holding great potential for real sample detection.

Influence of protein size on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra in binary protein mixtures

The size-dependent interactions of eight blood proteins with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in their binary mixtures were investigated using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the SERS spectra of each binary mixture, and the differentiation ability of the mixtures was tested. It was found that the effect of relative concentration change on the SERS spectra of the binary mixtures of small proteins could be detected using PCA. However, this change was not observed with the binary mixtures of large proteins. This study demonstrated that the relative interactions of the smaller proteins with an average size of 50 nm AgNPs smaller than the large proteins could be monitored, and this information can be used for the detection of proteins in protein mixtures.

Silver and magnetic nanoparticles for sensitive DNA detection by SERS

The first reported combination of functionalised silver nanoparticles and silver-coated magnetic nanoparticles in a stable sandwich assay for DNA detection using SERS.