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Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Measurements Enabled by Plasmonic DNA Origami Nanoantennas
Published on: July 21, 2023
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensor for DNA detection on nanoparticle island substrates
Wu Yuan1, Ho Pui Ho, Rebecca K Y Lee
1Center for Advanced Research in Photonics, Department of Electronic Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Applied Optics
|August 4, 2009
Summary
We developed controllable silver nanoparticle island substrates (NIS) for enhanced SERS detection of oligonucleotide targets. Coupling detection probes with gold nanoparticles significantly improved sensitivity, achieving a 0.4 fM detection limit.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offers high sensitivity for molecular detection.
- Developing reproducible and highly enhancing SERS substrates is crucial for practical applications.
- Oligonucleotide detection is vital in diagnostics and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the SERS properties of silver nanoparticle island substrates (NIS).
- To apply NIS for sensitive detection of target oligonucleotide (OND) sequences.
- To compare SERS-based OND detection strategies with and without gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of Ag nanoparticle island substrates (NIS) with controlled nanostructure.
- Optimization of NIS peak extinction wavelength for maximum SERS enhancement.
- Development of a sandwich assay format for OND detection using NIS.
- Comparison of OND detection sensitivity using detection ONDs with and without Au-NP conjugation.
Main Results:
- Reproducible control over NIS surface nanostructure was achieved.
- High SERS enhancement was obtained by tuning NIS extinction wavelength.
- The highest SERS enhancement was observed for NIS with 50 Å nominal thickness.
- Au-NP conjugation to detection OND significantly improved target OND detection sensitivity.
- A lower detection limit of 0.4 fM was achieved with Au-NP, compared to 1 nM without.
Conclusions:
- Ag nanoparticle island substrates are effective for SERS-based OND detection.
- Tuning substrate properties enhances SERS performance.
- Au-NP conjugation to detection probes dramatically improves sensitivity and lowers detection limits for ONDs.
