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Gold nanosystems for the detection of molecules using surface-enhanced Raman scatterings (SERS)
Benešová, Markéta
Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique to analyze the chemical structure of molecules by a phenomenon known as Raman scattering, which occurs by an inelastic interaction of photons with the valence electrons in molecular bonds. However, Raman scattering can be hard to observe due to other, more frequent phenomena, such as Rayleigh scattering or fluorescence. SERS (surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) uses localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of metal nanostructures to amplify Raman scattering. LSPR is a coherent oscillation of conduction electrons that arises from the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with metal nanostructures. The amplification of Raman scattering occurs when the analyte is adsorbed on the surface of such nanostructure and the strong localized electric field interacts with the electrons in its molecular bonds. Signal amplification of several orders of magnitude can be achieved, commonly 103 or more. In our work, we determined the presence of a selected bacterial species by multi-functionalized golden nanoparticles called SERS-tags, which have their surface modified with an antibody and a Raman reporter. The antibody allows the nanoparticles to bind to the surface of a concrete bacterial species based on the antigen-antibody affinity. When the targeted bacterium is covered with the nanoparticles, the Raman reporter signal is amplified by SERS, providing specific and strong Raman response. Therefore, when the Raman reporter signal is detected in a sample, it confirms the presence of the specific bacterium on a single-cell level.
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