Development of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-Based Surface-Corrugated Nanopillars for Biomolecular Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

In this paper, a nanobiosensor with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) capability is introduced for highly sensitive miRNA detection in colorectal cancer. This sensor was designed and fabricated by employing a nanoshielding mechanism from nanopolystyrene beads to resist reactive ion etching and allow anisotropic electrochemical etching, producing high-aspect-ratio, surface-corrugated nanopillars (SiNPs) on a silicon wafer to create extensive hot spots along the nanopillars for improved SERS signals. SERS enhancements were correlated with nanorange roughness, indicating that hot spots along the pillars were the crucial factor to improve the SERS effect. We achieved the detection capability of a trace amount of R6G (10−8 M), and the SERS signal enhancement factor (EF) was close to 1.0 × 107 on surface-corrugated gold SiNPs. miRNA samples were also demonstrated on this sensor with good sensitivity and specificity. The target molecule miR-21-Cy5 was easily monitored through Raman spectrum variation with a PCR-comparable concentration at around 100 pM with clear nucleotide-specific Raman signals, which is also suitable for biomolecule sensing.

Rapid Determination of the ‘Legal Highs’ 4-MMC and 4-MEC by Spectroelectrochemistry: Simultaneous Cyclic Voltammetry and In Situ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

“…Under these circumstances, a parallel and more confirmatory test such as Raman spectroscopy can resolve this limitation [ 19 ]. Several strategies are available to boost the Raman signal including SERS through the use of nanostructures such as nanostars [ 20 , 21 ], nanoparticles [ 22 ], nanopillars [ 23 ] or nanotubes [ 24 ] that induce surface-enhanced scattering [ 25 , 26 ], allowing the collection of spectra for molecules at low concentrations or even of individual molecules [ 27 ]. Our group has reported the behavior of Cu centers of enzymes using nanostructured Au as SERS substrates [ 28 ].…”

Prospects of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Biomarker Monitoring toward Precision Medicine

“…A reasonable uniformity in the arrangement of plasmonic structures renders such substrates attractive toward the detection of various biomolecules, such as beta amyloids in Alzheimer’s disease or small oligonucleotides. 86 , 87 …”

Raman Scattering-Based Biosensing: New Prospects and Opportunities

“…Since its inception, this technology has received a large amount of attention because it allows for the fabrication of uniform, periodic nanostructures of SERS substrates. Thus, silicon nanopillars modified with metal nanoparticles with a high surface-to-volume ratio have proven their effectiveness in detecting various biomolecules [ 103 , 104 , 105 ]. Today, special attention is also paid to the fabrication of SERS substrates using biomimetic natural materials as a template for the further distribution of plasmonic nanostructures.…”