Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Author Spotlight: High-Quality Quantum Dot Nanobeads for Sensitive Fluorescent Lateral Flow Immunoassays
Published on: June 28, 2024
Wrinkled metal based quantum sensor for In vitro cancer diagnosis
Srisankari Ganesan1, Krishnan Venkatakrishnan2, Bo Tan3
1Ultrashort Laser Nano Manufacturing Research Facility, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada; Nano Characterization Laboratory, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada; Nano Bio Interface Facility, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.
Abstract:
This article presents a unique 3D biocompatible Aluminum-based quantum structure (QS) for in vitro cancer detection using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The Al-based QSs fabricated using ultrashort pulsed laser are of two distinct surface characters, wrinkled and smooth spherical. The limit of detection for chemical sensing of Crystal Violet and Rhodamine 6G by the Al-QS was driven up to single molecule sensing (femtomolar concentration). Biological sensing of cysteine, a disease biomarker and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a cancer biomarker was also tested by the Al-QS. The ability of in vitro cell detection using Al-QS was analyzed with three cell lines, mammalian fibroblast and pancreatic and lung cancer cells. The Al-QS were up taken by the cells through label-free self-internalization and were sensed by SERS. Further assay was performed to differentiate cancerous and non-cancerous cells by measuring lipid and protein peak intensity within the cells. The result of this research indicated that SERS based Al-QS could be a suitable candidate for the early diagnosis of cancer.
