title: Intracellular pH sensors based on surface-enhanced raman scattering.
abstract: We present the development of nanoscale pH sensors based on functionalized silver nanoparticles and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The SERS spectrum from individual silver nanoparticle (50-80 nm in diameter) clusters functionalized with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid shows a characteristic response to the pH of the surrounding solution and is sensitive to pH changes in the range of 6-8. Measurements from nanoparticles incorporated in living Chinese hamster ovary cells demonstrate that the nanoparticle sensors retain their robust signal and sensitivity to pH when incorporated into a cell.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry and Materials Science Directorate and Physics and Advanced Technologies Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue Livermore, California 94550, USA. talley1@llnl.gov
authors.forename: Chad E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jusinski
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hollars
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D012834:Silver