Chapter 9 - Selective Detection of Proteins and Nucleic Acids with Biofunctionalized SERS Labels

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) plays an increasingly important role for the selective detection of proteins and nucleic acids, which is usually achieved by labeled antibodies and oligonucleotides. It plays an increasingly important role in this field of biological and biomedical research. Significant advantages of SERS over existing labelling approaches include its multiplexing capacity for simultaneous target detection, target quantification, and sensitivity. Using SERS as a readout strategy requires a Raman label in conjunction with a SERS substrate for signal enhancement and a biomolecule for specific binding to the corresponding target molecule. This modular principle offers many opportunities for different implementations. SERS offers significant advantages over existing labelling approaches. A very important advantage of SERS is its unique multiplexing capacity, i.e., the potential for the simultaneous detection of numerous SERS labels. The first two sections of this chapter summarize different approaches to the selective detection of proteins and nucleic acids by SERS. Then various methods for the encapsulation of nanoparticle Raman label conjugates are discussed. Finally, microscopic applications with SERS labels are presented. SERS labels comprise nanoparticles and Raman labels for signal generation in combination with specific binding molecules for target recognition. Because the chemical and physical properties of nanoparticles are strongly influenced by their environment, encapsulation is an important way to stabilize them. It deals with the detection of proteins and nucleic acids from solution.