Abstract
A sensitive and accurate identification of specific DNA fragments (usually containing a mutation) can influence clinical decisions. Standard methods routinely used for this type of detection are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction, and its modifications), and, less commonly, NGS (Next Generation Sequencing). However, these methods are quite complicated, requiring time-consuming, multi-stage sample preparation, and specially trained staff. Usually, it takes weeks for patients to obtain their results. Therefore, different DNA sensors are being intensively developed by many groups. One technique often used to obtain an analytical signal from DNA sensors is Raman spectroscopy. Its modification, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), is especially useful for practical analytical applications due to its extra low limit of detection. SERS takes advantage of the strong increase in the efficiency of Raman signal generation caused by a local electric field enhancement near plasmonic (typically gold and silver) nanostructures. In this condensed review, we describe the most important types of SERS-based nanosensors for genetic studies and comment on their potential for becoming diagnostic tools.
Highlights
There is strong interest in the development of new sensors for the sensitive identification of specific DNA fragments, for example, circulating free tumor DNA
We describe the most important types of SERS-based nanosensors for genetic studies and comment on their potential for becoming diagnostic tools
Another approach applied in SERS DNA sensors utilises the formation of agglomerates of plasmonic nanoparticles or plasmonic and magnetic nanoparticles induced by the presence of specific DNA fragments
Summary
There is strong interest in the development of new sensors for the sensitive identification of specific DNA fragments, for example, circulating free tumor DNA. Changing the distance between the Raman reporter and the plasmonic nanostructure (close or away) induces a significant change in the intensity of the measured SERS signal: the signal is very strong when the Raman reporter is close to the plasmonic nanostructure and weak when this distance is large Another approach applied in SERS DNA sensors utilises the formation of agglomerates of plasmonic nanoparticles or plasmonic and magnetic nanoparticles induced by the presence of specific DNA fragments (in this case, the agglomeration is induced by hybridisation with the single-stranded DNA immobilised on the surface of the nanoparticles). The basic theory of SERS enhancement, which is required to explain the mechanisms of the functionality of various SERS DNA sensors, is presented
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