Design, Implementation, and Advances in Indirect SERS Sensors for Biomedical and Human-Health-Related Analyte...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Spectroscopy
• Biomedical Diagnostics

Background:

• Molecular diagnostics are advancing medicine, public health, and environmental monitoring.
• Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) nanotags provide ultrasensitive, multiplexed, and quantitative detection.
• Indirect SERS sensing strategies leverage nanotags as signal transducers for enhanced specificity and detection limits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review indirect sensing strategies utilizing SERS nanotags.
• To outline key design principles for SERS nanotags, including component selection and rational design.
• To discuss emerging biosensing applications and integration into diagnostic formats.

Main Methods:

• Focus on indirect SERS sensing mechanisms involving plasmonic core, reporter molecule, and targeting ligand.
• Review design considerations for optimizing sensitivity, stability, selectivity, and reproducibility.
• Examine the role of reporter molecules in spectral uniqueness and multiplexing.
• Highlight the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on nanotag development.
• Discuss integration into diagnostic platforms like lateral flow assays and microfluidics.

Main Results:

• Indirect SERS sensors achieve high specificity and ultralow limits of detection.
• Rational design balances enhancement efficiency with reproducibility, biocompatibility, and assay integration.
• Reporter molecule choice enables multiplexed detection of multiple analytes.
• AI/ML accelerates nanotag development through predictive control.
• SERS nanotags are integrated into point-of-care diagnostic formats for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Conclusions:

• SERS nanotags are versatile platforms for advanced molecular diagnostics.
• Effective design requires careful consideration of all nanotag components and their interactions.
• Emerging applications demonstrate the potential of SERS nanotags in various fields, including point-of-care testing.