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Published on: June 9, 2023
Accurate Droplet Manipulation on the Central Radiant Grating Array: Effective Interfacial Enrichment and Spatial
1Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China.
This study introduces an integrated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform using a radiant grating for simultaneous analyte enrichment and plasmonic hotspot localization. This novel biosensing approach significantly enhances sensitivity for ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers like exosomes, aiding early cancer diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Ultrasensitive detection requires synchronized analyte enrichment and plasmonic nanoparticle localization for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
- Existing methods face challenges in achieving precise spatiotemporal control over these processes.
- Nanospecimen analysis, like exosomes, is hindered by size-dependent adsorption heterogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an integrated SERS platform for simultaneous analyte enrichment and plasmonic hotspot localization.
- To overcome limitations in droplet manipulation for ultrasensitive SERS detection.
- To demonstrate the platform's capability for label-free detection and analysis of biological heterogeneity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a radiant grating structure using template replication and low surface energy modification.
- Utilizing a hydrophobic design for stable droplet evaporation-driven transport and analyte enrichment.
- Integration of plasmonic particles within defined sensing zones for localized SERS detection.
- Application of multivariate analysis for spectral correlation and heterogeneity studies.
Main Results:
- Achieved 2.24 × 103-fold analyte enrichment by suppressing self-pinning effects.
- Attained label-free detection limits of 10-10 M for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and 103 particles/mL for exosomes.
- Demonstrated high spatial precision (∼100 μm) and scalable production capability.
- Revealed tumor exosome heterogeneity using intrinsic Raman spectral correlations.
Conclusions:
- The integrated enrichment-localized SERS platform enables ultrasensitive and precise detection.
- The technology effectively overcomes analyte adsorption heterogeneity for nanospecimens.
- This approach holds significant potential for early cancer diagnostics through exosome heterogeneity analysis.
