Towards quantitative point of care detection using SERS lateral flow immunoassays

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics require rapid, sensitive, and multiplexed biomolecule detection.
• Paper-based lateral flow immunoassays (LFIA) are low-cost and simple but often lack sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities.
• Traditional detection methods for LFIA struggle with quantitative POC analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based LFIA platforms.
• To highlight progress in multiplexing and portable detection for SERS-LFIA.
• To discuss the future potential of SERS-LFIA for POC diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing nanoparticles coated with Raman reporters as labels in LFIA.
• Employing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for signal amplification and detection.
• Transitioning SERS analysis from lab-based microscopes to portable Raman instruments.

Main Results:

• SERS-based LFIA demonstrate enhanced sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities for biomolecule detection.
• Portable SERS-LFIA platforms enable rapid, quantitative measurements at the POC without compromising sensitivity.
• The technology overcomes limitations of conventional LFIA, offering a versatile diagnostic tool.

Conclusions:

• SERS-based LFIA represent a significant advancement for sensitive and multiplexed POC diagnostics.
• Portable SERS-LFIA platforms are poised to revolutionize diagnostics in clinical and resource-poor settings.
• The integration of SERS with LFIA offers a promising future for accessible and efficient disease detection.