How Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Could Contribute to Medical Diagnoses

Abstract

In the last decade, there has been a rapid increase in the number of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy applications in medical research. In this article we review some recent, and in our opinion, most interesting and promising applications of SERS spectroscopy in medical diagnostics, including those that permit multiplexing within the range important for clinical samples. We focus on the SERS-based detection of markers of various diseases (or those whose presence significantly increases the chance of developing a given disease), and on drug monitoring. We present selected examples of the SERS detection of particular fragments of DNA or RNA, or of bacteria, viruses, and disease-related proteins. We also describe a very promising and elegant ‘lab-on-chip’ approach used to carry out practical SERS measurements via a pad whose action is similar to that of a pregnancy test. The fundamental theoretical background of SERS spectroscopy, which should allow a better understanding of the operation of the sensors described, is also briefly outlined. We hope that this review article will be useful for researchers planning to enter this fascinating field.

Application of two-dimensional layered materials in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

“…Because of its inexpensiveness, non-toxic nature and other characteristics, 2D materials are often utilized in many fields such as medicine and food safety. So in subsequent studies, more probe molecules related to practical applications, such as food additives, particular fragments of DNA or RNA, or of bacteria and disease-related proteins, 113,114 are required to be introduced to promote a wider application of SERS in biology, medicine and other fields.…”

Grating-incoupled waveguide-enhanced Raman sensor

“…Recent advances in nanofabrication techniques, material engineering, optoelectronic instrumentation and software modelling tools have resulted in substantial improvements in the Raman conversion efficiency of WERS systems compared to earlier demonstrations [ 2 , 3 ], and to significantly stronger Raman signals than those collected by conventional Raman microscopes [ 4 ]. Further, WERS operates on the same principles as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with electromagnetic enhancement of Raman scattering at the sensing surface, and is thus expected to be useful in the same range of analytical applications as SERS [ 1 ], where it would be would be applicable to a wide range of biosensor assays, such as lateral flow immunoassays, DNA discrimination and detection, affinity assays, and biomarker detection, in the same way as SERS [ 5 , 6 ]. Similar approaches would also be adopted for the suppression of interferences such as surface modification to suppress non-specific adsorption [ 7 ].…”

Cheminformatics Study on Structural and Bactericidal Activity of Latest Generation β-Lactams on Widespread Pathogens

“…Real-time SERS measurements for in vitro monitoring of microbial cultures undergoing susceptibility tests toward antibiotics are now possible with reliable results. The ultrasensitivity of SERS-based detection and its suitability in monitoring viable, biological samples are the key aspects explored in clinical applications [ 35 ].…”