Rapid ratiometric biomarker detection with topically applied SERS nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Diagnostics
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Multiplexed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoparticles (NPs) show promise for rapid molecular phenotyping of tissues.
• Accurate disease detection and patient stratification rely on identifying tissue biomarkers quickly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize SERS NP technology and protocols for rapid, multiplexed detection of cell-surface biomarkers.
• To enable accurate molecular diagnostics in time-constrained clinical settings using portable devices.

Main Methods:

• Developed and optimized protocols for topical application of SERS NPs on tissues.
• Utilized a miniature fiber-optic spectral-detection probe for rapid SERS measurements (0.1-s integration time).
• Employed simultaneous detection and ratiometric quantification of targeted and nontargeted NPs.

Main Results:

• Achieved rapid (0.1-s integration) detection of multiple cell-surface biomarkers after brief (5 min) NP application.
• Demonstrated unambiguous assessment of molecular expression, insensitive to variations in NP concentration.
• Validated the technology through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments.

Conclusions:

• Optimized SERS NP technology facilitates rapid molecular phenotyping for enhanced disease diagnostics.
• The developed method offers accurate and reliable biomarker quantification for personalized medicine and treatment monitoring.
• This approach is suitable for clinical use with portable devices under time-constrained conditions.