Advances in TERS (tip-enhanced Raman scattering) for biochemical applications

Abstract

TERS (tip-enhanced Raman scattering) provides exceptional spatial resolution without any need for labelling and has become a versatile tool for biochemical analysis. Two examples will be highlighted here. On the one hand, TERS measurements on a single mitochondrion are discussed, monitoring the oxidation state of the central iron ion of cytochrome c, leading towards a single protein characterization scheme in a natural environment. On the other hand, a novel approach of single molecule analysis is discussed, again based on TERS experiments on DNA and RNA, further highlighting the resolution capabilities of this method.

Tip-enhanced Raman scattering—Targeting structure-specific surface characterization for biomedical samples

“…Due to the high spatial resolution, specificity, and sensitivity of TERS, analysis of DNA and RNA has attracted attention [89][90][91]. Any such analysis would invariably involve the investigation of the neat nucleobases adenine (A), cytosine(C), thymine (T), guanine (G), and uracil (U).…”

Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Bacillus subtilis Spores by Combining Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Advanced Statistical Tools

“…The simultaneous recording of both topographical and chemical information provided by TERS technique has, in very recent years, allowed a deeper insight into the surface properties of many systems at the nanoscale, 18,19 including bio-systems. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] In particular, TERS analysis has been focused on the investigation of DNA-and RNA-based systems, 27-34 as well as proteins-related systems. 17,[35][36][37] Recently, notable progresses have been also achieved for more complex biosystems such as single amyloid fibril, 38 alginates, 39 insulin protofilaments, 40 virus, 41 hemozoin crystals, 42 as well as synthetic 43 or real cellular membranes.…”

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: From concepts to practical applications

“…For example, the high spatial resolution of TERS allowed researchers to resolve individual nucleobases on both RNA and DNA strands. [46,47] It was demonstrated that all four nucleobases could be identified on both RNA and DNA strands. [48,49] Recently, Lipiec et al reported that, using TERS, molecular structure of terminal groups at DNA fragments can be probed, which consequently allowed the authors to identify double strand breaks of DNA.…”