title: Plasmonic nanoparticle dimers for optical sensing of DNA in complex media.
abstract: We introduce a new sensing modality based on the actuation of discrete gold nanoparticle dimers. Binding of the target DNA leads to a geometrical extension of the dimer, thereby yielding a spectral blue shift in the hybridized plasmon mode as detected by single nanostructure scattering spectroscopy. The magnitude and opposite direction of this shift enabled us to spectroscopically distinguish the target from nonspecific binding and to detect the target in complex media like serum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-1700, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer I L
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yeechi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ginger
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D019281:Dimerization; D006046:Gold; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA