Ultra-Stable Plasmonic Colloidal Aggregates for Accurate and Reproducible Quantitative SE(R)RS in Protein-Rich Biomedia

Au/Ag colloids aggregated with simple salts are amongst the most commonly used substrates in surface-enhanced (resonance) Raman spectroscopy (SE(R)RS). However, salt-induced aggregation is a dynamic process, which means that SE(R)RS enhancements vary with time and that measurements therefore need to be taken at a fixed time point, normally within a short time-window of a few minutes. Here, we present an emulsion templated method which allows formation of densely-packed quasi-spherical Au/Ag colloidal aggregates. Since the particles in the product aggregates retain their weakly adsorbed charged ligands and the ionic strength remains low these charged aggregates resist further aggregation while still providing intense SE(R)RS enhancement which remains stable for days. This eliminates a major source of irreproducibility in conventional colloidal SE(R)RS measurements and paves the way for SE(R)RS analysis in complex systems, such as protein-rich bio-solutions where conventional aggregated colloids fail.

Intracellular and Cellular Detection by SERS-Active Plasmonic Nanostructures

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), with greatly amplified fingerprint spectra, holds great promise in biochemical and biomedical research. In particular, the possibility of exciting a library of SERS probes and differentially detecting them simultaneously has stimulated widespread interest in multiplexed biodetection. Herein, recent progress in developing SERS-active plasmonic nanostructures for cellular and intracellular detection is summarized. The development of nanosensors with tailored plasmonic and multifunctional properties for profiling molecular and pathological processes is highlighted. Future challenges towards the routine use of SERS technology in quantitative bioanalysis and clinical diagnostics are further discussed.

Nanocomposite-Based Photodynamic Therapy Strategies for Deep Tumor Treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging clinically approved modality, has been used for treatment of various cancer diseases. Conventional PDT strategies are mainly focused on superficial lesions because the wavelength of illumination light of most clinically approved photosensitizers (PSs) is located in the UV/VIS range that possesses limited tissue penetration ability, leading to ineffective therapeutic response for deep-seated tumors. The combination of PDT and nanotechnology is becoming a promising approach to fight against deep tumors. Here, the rapid development of new PDT modalities based on various smartly designed nanocomposites integrating with conventionally used PSs for deep tumor treatments is introduced. Until now many types of multifunctional nanoparticles have been studied, and according to the source of excitation energy they can be classified into three major groups: near infrared (NIR) light excited nanomaterials, X-ray excited scintillating/afterglow nanoparticles, and internal light emission excited nanocarriers. The in vitro and in vivo applications of these newly developed PDT modalities are further summarized here, which highlights their potential use as promising nano-agents for deep tumor therapy.