Development and Application of Aptamer-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensors in Quantitative Analysis and Biotherapy

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is one of the most special and important Raman techniques. An apparent Raman signal can be observed when the target molecules are absorbed onto the surface of the SERS substrates, especially on the “hot spots” of the substrates. Early research focused on exploring the highly active SERS substrates and their detection applications in label-free SERS technology. However, it is a great challenge to use these label-free SERS sensors for detecting hydrophobic or non-polar molecules, especially in complex systems or at low concentrations. Therefore, antibodies, aptamers, and antimicrobial peptides have been used to effectively improve the target selectivity and meet the analysis requirements. Among these selective elements, aptamers are easy to use for synthesis and modifications, and their stability, affinity and specificity are extremely good; they have been successfully used in a variety of testing areas. The combination of SERS detection technology and aptamer recognition ability not only improved the selection accuracy of target molecules, but also improved the sensitivity of the analysis. Variations of aptamer-based SERS sensors have been developed and have achieved satisfactory results in the analysis of small molecules, pathogenic microorganism, mycotoxins, tumor marker and other functional molecules, as well as in successful photothermal therapy of tumors. Herein, we present the latest advances of the aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the assembling sensing platforms and the strategies for signal amplification. Furthermore, the existing problems and potential trends of the aptamer-based SERS sensors are discussed.

Nanomaterial-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy for sensing and diagnostics of gas molecules in environment and healthcare

“…[72] The above gas sensing experiments and their fruitful results exhibit the applicability of Raman technology to environment as well as homeland security. Some recent reviews could be referred to for the detailed study of VOCs detection using SERS [111,112]. The above discusseion reveal that synthesis of nanomaterials with better morphology and surface properties is the important aspect for enhanced SERS detection of the gases/vapours.…”

Synthesis of SERS-active core–satellite nanoparticles using heterobifunctional PEG linkers

“…Additionally, many SERS-active NPs require further subsequent surface functionalization to enhance stability. To be applied in a real-world application, integration of these SERSactive NPs in diagnostic assays require further addition of targeting moieties to adhere on the surface such as aptamers 29,30 , antibodies [31][32][33] , oligonucleotide probes 34,35 and Raman reporter molecules (RRM) 36 . This mixed monolayer often results in competitive binding on the exposed NP surface, causing inequivalent surface deposition.…”

Aptamer-based biosensing through the mapping of encoding upconversion nanoparticles for sensitive CEA detection

“…13,14 In recent decades, analytical methods based on aptamers have been developed, such as electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors, 15–17 aptamer-based nanobiosensors 18–20 and surface-enhanced Raman scattering aptamer-based biosensors. 21–23 These novel biosensors exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity. Nanomaterials combined with aptamers as aptamer-based sensors for the detection of biomarkers have also been extensively studied.…”