Biological applications of localised surface plasmonic phenomenae

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
• Biophysics and Biochemistry
• Optical Spectroscopy

Background:

• Nanomaterials exhibit unique optical, magnetic, electronic, catalytic, and mechanical properties.
• Nanoscale materials are comparable in size to biological macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids.
• Interactions between biomolecules and nanomaterials enable diverse biological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review biological applications and technologies utilizing plasmonic phenomena.
• To focus on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
• To present the foundational knowledge for applying LSPR and SERS in biological contexts.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nanomaterial applications in biology.
• Focus on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy.
• Focus on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

Main Results:

• Noble metal nanoparticles possess unique optical properties due to surface plasmons.
• LSPR and SERS are powerful techniques for biological detection, sensing, and labeling.
• Illustrative examples include resonant Rayleigh scattering, refractive index sensing, and SERS-based detection.

Conclusions:

• Nanomaterials, particularly noble metal nanoparticles, are highly valuable for biological applications.
• LSPR and SERS offer advanced capabilities for biosensing, diagnostics, and imaging.
• Continued research in plasmonic phenomena will drive innovation in life sciences and medicine.