Progress toward an in vivo surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy glucose sensor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Continuous glucose monitoring is crucial for diabetes management.
• Existing blood glucose monitors lack accuracy for continuous monitoring.
• Advanced sensors are needed to mitigate diabetes complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based sensor for in vivo glucose detection.
• To create an accurate and sensitive glucose monitoring system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized SERS, a sensitive optical technique for direct glucose detection.
• Employed a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) for glucose molecule adsorption to the SERS-active surface.
• Ensured glucose molecules are within nanometers of the surface for SERS detection.

Main Results:

• The SAM-functionalized surface demonstrated stability for over 10 days.
• The sensor exhibited rapid and reversible glucose partitioning.
• Quantitative glucose detection was achieved in vitro (bovine plasma) and in vivo (rats).

Conclusions:

• Successfully demonstrated the first in vivo SERS glucose sensor in a rat model.
• Showcased free-space transdermal SERS signal detection through rat skin.
• Established a foundation for developing non-invasive transcutaneous glucose sensors.