title: Using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to probe for genetic markers on single-stranded DNA.
abstract: Methods capable of quickly and inexpensively collecting genetic information are of increasing importance. We report a method of using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to probe single-stranded DNA for genetic markers. This unique approach is used to analyze unmodified genes of moderate length for genetic markers by hybridizing native test oligonucleotides into a surface-enhanced Raman complex, vastly increasing detection sensitivity as compared to traditional Raman spectroscopy. The Raman complex is formed by sandwiching the test DNA between 40-nm gold nanoparticles and a photolithographically defined gold surface. With this design, we are able to collect characteristic Raman spectra about the test DNA and to detect genetic markers such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and polymorphic regions. Results show that strands containing one of three different types of polymorphism can be differentiated using statistically significant trends regarding Raman intensity.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, 2140 Burlington Labs, 2500 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA. agsmccart@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leotaud
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McCarty
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA