Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based biomicrofluidics systems for trace protein analysis

Abstract

In recent years, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has been widely applied to many different areas, including chemical analysis, biomolecule detection, bioagent diagnostics, DNA sequence, and environmental monitor, due to its capabilities of unlabeled fingerprint identification, high sensitivity, and rapid detection. In biomicrofluidic systems, it is also very powerful to integrate SERS based devices with specified micro-fluid flow fields to further focusing/enhancing/multiplexing SERS signals through molecule registration, concentration/accumulation, and allocation. In this review, after a brief introduction of the mechanism of SERS detection on proteins, we will first focus on the effectiveness of different nanostructures for SERS enhancement and light-to-heat conversion in trace protein analysis. Various protein molecule accumulation schemes by either (bio-)chemical or physical ways, such as immuno, electrochemical, Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and magnetic, will then be reviewed for further SERS signal amplification. The analytical and repeatability/stability issues of SERS detection on proteins will also be brought up for possible solutions. Then, the comparison about various ways employing microfluidic systems to register, concentrate, and enhance the signals of SERS and reduce the background noise by active or passive means to manipulate SERS nanostructures and protein molecules will be elaborated. Finally, we will carry on the discussion on the challenges and opportunities by introducing SERS into biomicrofluidic systems and their potential solutions.

Hydrated Ionic Liquids Boost the Trace Detection Capacity of Proteins on TiO2 Support

“…To detect trace biomolecules with SERS, many techniques have been applied to further improve the enhancement performance in a variety of applications. 11 , 12 …”

“…Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has received increasingly attention in the detection of trace amounts of biomolecules due to its extremely high sensitivity and broad tailoring capacity to detect the specific analytes through unique vibrational fingerprints. − Compared with other optical detection techniques, − SERS shows a great advantage in noninvasive detection properties due to its simple operation and sample preparation. To detect trace biomolecules with SERS, many techniques have been applied to further improve the enhancement performance in a variety of applications. , …”

Interactions of Whey Proteins with Metal Ions

“…However, FTIR in comparison with RS is less specific and sensitive owing to the presence of water in the system, limiting the participation of the hydroxyl group in the interaction. Alternatively, RS is limited by the fluorescence processes of aromatic residues of LTF and requires surface-enhanced procedures, e.g., by gold or silver nanoparticle sputtering [102]. Additionally, to accurately indicate the location of silver cation binding with LTF, Pomastowski et al used molecular dynamics (MD) analysis.…”

Perspective of Future SERS Clinical Application Based on Current Status of Raman Spectroscopy Clinical Trials

“…SERS is particularly interesting because the Raman signal can be controlled by modifying a designated probe on the surface to detect the specific analytes ( Stiles et al, 2008 ). Raman signals of molecules adsorbed on the metal surface were amplified by generating a localized surface plasmon resonance under an incident electromagnetic field ( Lee and Tseng, 2018 ; Pilot et al, 2019 ). Based on the knowledge of molecular interaction in vivo, such as the antibody–antigen and complementary sequences of DNA and RNA, SERS is employed to quantify drugs and biomolecules in complex systems such as blood and tissue due to its high sensitivity and specificity ( Henry et al, 2016 ; Xue et al, 2018 ).…”