Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is one of the most special and important Raman techniques. An apparent Raman signal can be observed when the target molecules are absorbed onto the surface of the SERS substrates, especially on the “hot spots” of the substrates. Early research focused on exploring the highly active SERS substrates and their detection applications in label-free SERS technology. However, it is a great challenge to use these label-free SERS sensors for detecting hydrophobic or non-polar molecules, especially in complex systems or at low concentrations. Therefore, antibodies, aptamers, and antimicrobial peptides have been used to effectively improve the target selectivity and meet the analysis requirements. Among these selective elements, aptamers are easy to use for synthesis and modifications, and their stability, affinity and specificity are extremely good; they have been successfully used in a variety of testing areas. The combination of SERS detection technology and aptamer recognition ability not only improved the selection accuracy of target molecules, but also improved the sensitivity of the analysis. Variations of aptamer-based SERS sensors have been developed and have achieved satisfactory results in the analysis of small molecules, pathogenic microorganism, mycotoxins, tumor marker and other functional molecules, as well as in successful photothermal therapy of tumors. Herein, we present the latest advances of the aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the assembling sensing platforms and the strategies for signal amplification. Furthermore, the existing problems and potential trends of the aptamer-based SERS sensors are discussed.
Highlights
Raman spectroscopy is based on an inelastic scattering process involving an energy transfer between incident light and illuminated target molecules, which can be used for chemical identification, structure elucidation, and other qualitative analysis
The matrix selectivity can be evaluated by measuring the interaction between the aptamer and the target, while the detection sensitivity is determined by the intensity of the Raman signal
Various aptamer-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors with the Raman signal molecule were successfully used in the analysis of small molecules, pathogenic microorganism, mycotoxins, tumor marker and other functional molecules, as well as in biotherapy
Summary
Raman spectroscopy is based on an inelastic scattering process involving an energy transfer between incident light and illuminated target molecules, which can be used for chemical identification, structure elucidation, and other qualitative analysis. The SERS effect was first discovered by Fleischman et al [2] in 1974 They found a strong Raman scattering signal when a single layer of pyridine molecules was adsorbed on the surface of the rough silver electrode. An obvious electromagnetic enhancement mechanism makes a more significant contribution to enhancement the SERS [8]. Ineffect can betheobserved at the vicinity of the nanostructure surface, especially in the gap of theofdimer electromagnetic theory, an obvious enhancement effect can be observed at the vicinity the of the Au, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) or in thethe heterodimers themselves, was called(NPs) the “hotspots”. Most SERS-based sensors in this in thisreview review developed by utilizing the electromagnetic enhancement areare developed by utilizing the electromagnetic enhancement effect. Most SERS-based sensors in this in thisreview review developed by utilizing the electromagnetic enhancement areare developed by utilizing the electromagnetic enhancement effect. effect
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