Convergence of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering with Molecular Diagnostics: A Perspective on Future Directions

Abstract

Molecular diagnostics (MD) is widely employed in multiple scientific disciplines, such as oncology, pathogen detection, forensic investigations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revolutionized the rapid and accurate identification of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). More recently, CRISPR and its CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) have been a ground-breaking discovery that is the latest revolution in molecular biology, including MD. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a very attractive alternative to fluorescence as the currently most widely used optical readout in MD. In this Perspective, milestones in the development of MD, SERS-PCR, and next-generation approaches to MD, such as Specific High-Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing (SHERLOCK) and DNA Endonuclease-Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter (DETECTR), are briefly summarized. Our perspective on the future convergence of SERS with MD is focused on SERS-based CRISPR/Cas (SERS-CRISPR) since we anticipate many promising applications in this rapidly emerging field. We predict that major future developments will exploit the advantages of real-time monitoring with the superior brightness, photostability, and spectral multiplexing potential of SERS nanotags in an automated workflow for rapid assays under isothermal, amplification-free conditions.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Coupled with In Situ Raman Spectroscopy for the Detection of the OER Mechanism: A Mini-Review

“…SERS leverages the unique optical properties of metallic nanostructures to amplify the inherently weak Raman scattering signals from molecules adsorbed onto their surfaces. − When molecules interact with the oscillating electromagnetic fields generated by the excitation of localized surface plasmons in these nanostructures, their Raman scattering cross sections can be enhanced by many orders of magnitude, enabling ultrasensitive detection and structural characterization of even single molecules. , …”