Detection of viruses: atomic force microscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This paper demonstrates the capability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to function effectively as ultra-sensitive readout tools for chip-scale platforms designed for pathogen detection in complex biological media. AFM allows direct (i.e., label-free) visualization and quantification of nanometer-sized viruses captured on a smooth, selective surface. AFM readout led to optimization of a capture substrate for feline calicivirus (FCV), and yielded a limit of detection of 3 x 10(6) FCV/mL. SERS-based detection of FCV, carried out in a sandwich-type assay, requires labelling of the substrate-bound FCV with a selective extrinsic Raman label (ERL). These studies yielded a limit of detection of 1 x 10(6) FCV/mL. The prospects of these two readout methods as additions to the arsenal of tools in bioterrorism prevention are briefly discussed.