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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Biomolecules Using EBL Fabricated Nanostructured Substrates
Published on: March 20, 2015
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Bioderived Three-Dimensional Hierarchical Nanostructures as Efficient Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates
Stefano Managò, Gianluigi Zito, Alessandra Rogato1
1Department of Integrative Marine Ecology , Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn , Naples 80121 , Italy.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Bioderived nanostructures from diatom shells act as effective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for analyzing cell membranes. This novel approach enhances chemical analysis of cellular structures, aiding in disease diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chemical analysis of cellular membranes is crucial for understanding various pathologies.
- Existing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates often face limitations in cell interaction and efficiency.
- Bioderived materials offer unique structural properties for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop efficient SERS substrates using bioderived nanostructures for cellular membrane analysis.
- To investigate the potential of gold-metalized diatom shells (frustules) as SERS platforms.
- To apply these nanostructures for discriminating Raman signals from specific cell types.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of SERS substrates via gold metalization of Pseudonitzschia multistriata diatom silica shells.
- Numerical simulations and experimental characterization of plasmonic resonances and optical near-field amplification.
- Evaluation of SERS substrate enhancement factor and application to red blood cells and B-leukemia REH cells.
Main Results:
- The grating-like geometry of diatom frustules facilitates light coupling and cell interaction.
- Optimized metalization parameters yield significant SERS enhancement factors.
- Successful discrimination of Raman signals from red blood cell and B-leukemia REH cell membranes was achieved.
Conclusions:
- Bioderived, gold-metalized diatom frustules are efficient and versatile SERS substrates for cellular analysis.
- The unique nanostructure enables label-free chemical identification of cell membrane components.
- This technology holds promise for the diagnosis and study of diseases involving cell membrane alterations.
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