Plasmonic Nanoparticle-Enhanced Optical Techniques for Cancer Biomarker Sensing

Abstract

This review summarizes recent advances in leveraging localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) nanotechnology for sensitive cancer biomarker detection. LSPR arising from noble metal nanoparticles under light excitation enables the enhancement of various optical techniques, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), dark-field microscopy (DFM), photothermal imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. Nanoparticle engineering strategies are discussed to optimize LSPR for maximum signal amplification. SERS utilizes electromagnetic enhancement from plasmonic nanostructures to boost inherently weak Raman signals, enabling single-molecule sensitivity for detecting proteins, nucleic acids, and exosomes. DFM visualizes LSPR nanoparticles based on scattered light color, allowing for the ultrasensitive detection of cancer cells, microRNAs, and proteins. Photothermal imaging employs LSPR nanoparticles as contrast agents that convert light to heat, producing thermal images that highlight cancerous tissues. Photoacoustic imaging detects ultrasonic waves generated by LSPR nanoparticle photothermal expansion for deep-tissue imaging. The multiplexing capabilities of LSPR techniques and integration with microfluidics and point-of-care devices are reviewed. Remaining challenges, such as toxicity, standardization, and clinical sample analysis, are examined. Overall, LSPR nanotechnology shows tremendous potential for advancing cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring through the integration of nanoparticle engineering, optical techniques, and microscale device platforms.

AI-Based Metamaterial Design

“…In the last decades, AI and high-performance computing (HPC) have enabled more feasible computational costs . There have been several reports of DL implementation for biomolecular enantiomer sensing. − Yang et al have reported a wearable plasmonic sensor based on flexible plasmonic metamaterials with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) . The sensor had a superlattice metafilm structure that is prone to deformations and thus can potentially alter SERS activity.…”

The Strong Coupling Effect between Metallic Split-Ring Resonators and Molecular Vibrations in Polymethyl Methacrylate

“…In the field of optoelectronics, light–matter strong coupling can also be utilized to realize ultrafast light modulator components [ 9 ] and efficient photovoltaic materials [ 10 ]. In the meantime, in the field of biomedicine, light–matter strong coupling is also widely used in fluorescence imaging, photothermal therapy, and other aspects [ 11 ]. Therefore, the light–matter strong coupling holds great significance in the development of novel optical technologies along with the promotion of great scientific research.…”