title: Detection of viruses: atomic force microscopy and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
abstract: This paper demonstrates the capability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to function effectively as ultra-sensitive readout tools for chip-scale platforms designed for pathogen detection in complex biological media. AFM allows direct (i.e., label-free) visualization and quantification of nanometer-sized viruses captured on a smooth, selective surface. AFM readout led to optimization of a capture substrate for feline calicivirus (FCV), and yielded a limit of detection of 3 x 10(6) FCV/mL. SERS-based detection of FCV, carried out in a sandwich-type assay, requires labelling of the substrate-bound FCV with a selective extrinsic Raman label (ERL). These studies yielded a limit of detection of 1 x 10(6) FCV/mL. The prospects of these two readout methods as additions to the arsenal of tools in bioterrorism prevention are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Iowa State University, Institute for Combinatorial Discovery, Department of Chemistry, Ames Laboratory-US DOE, 50011, USA. mporter@porter1.ameslab.gov
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Driskell
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kwarta
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lipert
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Neill
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ridpath
mesh_terms: D017927:Calicivirus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*