Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) method and instrumentation for genomics and biomedical analysis

Abstract

The development of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method and instrument for use in biomedical and genomics analysis is described. The technology uses DNA gene probes based on SERS labels for gene detection and DNA mapping. The detection method uses nanostructured metallic substrates as SERS-active platforms. The surface-enhanced Raman gene (SERGen) probes can be used to detect DNA targets via hybridization to DNA sequences complementary to these probes. The probes do not require the use of radioactive labels and have great potential to provide both sensitivity and selectivity. Advanced instrumental systems designed for point-source spectral measurements and for multi-spectral imaging (MSI) are described. The MSI concept allows recoding the entire SERS spectrum for every pixel on the twodimensional hybridization platform in the field of view with the use of a rapid-scanning solid-state device, such as the acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF). The usefulness of the SERGen approach and its applications in biomedical diagnostics, high-throughput analysis and DNA mapping and sequencing are discussed. Copyright

Advances in Surface-Enhanced Fluorescence

“…The first experimental and theoretical reports on metal-enhanced fluorescence in the 70's and 80's [1][2][3][4][5][6] have been overshadowed by the large signal enhancements seen with surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) [7][8][9][10][11][12]. This approach offers signal enhancements of a factor of 10 3 -10 5 , and still more on specific "hot spots," allowing the detection of a single molecule [13] and even a single DNA base from the SERS signals [14].…”

Structural changes in gradient colloidal thin gold films deposited from aqueous solution

“…They play a major role in biotechnology, e.g. DNA scanning (Vo-Dinh et al, 1999;Dubertret et al, 2001;Bauer et al, 1999;Taton et al, 2000), in solar cells (Westphalen et al, 2000;Stenzel et al, 1995), anti-counterfeiting (Bauer et al, 2003) and optical data storage (Ditlbacher et al, 2000). These areas of research and applied science exploit the so-called 'plasmon resonance' of the noble metal nanoparticles.…”

Roughened silver electrodes for use in metal-enhanced fluorescence

“…Surprisingly, Raman spectroscopy is now finding use in biological research, intracellular analysis and genomics [1][2][3]. This remarkable development has its origins in 1974 with the report of an enormous enhancement of the scattered intensity for pyridine adsorbed to roughened silver electrodes.…”