Raman tags: Novel optical probes for intracellular sensing and imaging

SERS Nanotags and Their Applications in Biosensing and Bioimaging

“…Unlike nanospheres, nanorods have two plasmon resonance bands: the weaker transverse one in the visible range and the stronger longitudinal one in the longer wavelength range. The longitudinal one can be tuned from the visible to the NIR region by increasing the long axe of the nanorods, which permits for markedly improved laser penetration depth of tissue and is expected 1 3 for in vivo biosensing and bioimaging [30]. Similar isolated non-spherical plasmonic nanostructures, such as nanocages [57], nanostars [58], nanobars [59] and nanorice [60], are also widely proposed for SERS application, as they carry intrinsic hot spots.…”

“…BSA is one of the most popular materials for SERS nanotag surface coating, owing to its well-known properties, e.g. biocompatibility and easy link with the NPs [30,31]. Biocompatible polymeric coating, such as PEG, can increase the nanotag stability with retained biocompatibility, in the meantime, providing nanotag with chemical end groups that can be used for surface functionalization, which is important for binding targeting molecules on the nanotags [71].…”

“…Whereas, SERS label is an indirect way to detect specific target through the probe and the ligand molecule on SERS nanotags. As a consequence, the number of research papers on SERS in biomedical applications has grown exponentially and has been summarized in excellent Review articles [29,30]. SERS based methods are widely used in various biosensing, including pH, proteins, nucleic acids and many other biomarkers, developing a powerful sensing platform to fundamental research and real-world applications [26,30].…”

A SERS aptasensor for sensitive and selective detection of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

“…A well-designed SERS tag has high detection sensitivity, narrow characteristic peaks, and good photostability. 39,40 Various metallic nanostructures have been used to develop SERS tags. 39 Nanoparticle clusters, in particular, are an efficient means to generate strong SERS signals by increasing number of "hot spots" or areas with high electromagnetic eld enhancements.…”

Hotspot Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles for Application of Quantitative Sers in Bioanalytical Systems

“…Moreover, SERS analysis using AuNPs have become very popular in bioanalytical and biomedical applications, being used from single analyte detection in biological matrices, biomolecules sensing or drug-delivery system development and to more complex procedures such as carriers or intracellular imaging probes. [5][6][7] For quantitative purposes, one of the key steps is the colloid synthesis, a process that is still considered a mix of art and science due to the complexity of the growth and nucleation mechanisms behind it. 8,9 Nowadays several experimental procedures are available; perhaps the most used methods are those described by Turkevich and Frens in 1951 10,11 and the one reported by Lee-Meisel later in 1982.…”