Plasmonic nanoprobes: from chemical sensing to medical diagnostics and therapy.
This article provides an overview of the development and applications of plasmonics-active nanoprobes in our laboratory for chemical sensing, medical diagnostics and therapy. Molecular Sentinel nanoprobes provide a unique tool for DNA/RNA biomarker detection both in a homogeneous solution or on a chip platform for medical diagnostics. The possibility of combining spectral selectivity and high sensitivity of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) process with the inherent molecular specificity of nanoprobes provides an important multiplex diagnostic modality. Gold nanostars can provide an excellent multi-modality platform, combining two-photon luminescence with photothermal therapy as well as Raman imaging with photodynamic therapy. Several examples of optical detection using SERS and photonics-based treatments are presented to illustrate the usefulness and potential of the plasmonic nanoprobes for theranostics, which seamlessly combines diagnostics and therapy.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, The Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. tuan.vodinh@duke.edu.
Tuan
T
Vo-Dinh
Andrew M
AM
Fales
Guy D
GD
Griffin
Christopher G
CG
Khoury
Yang
Y
Liu
Hoan
H
Ngo
Stephen J
SJ
Norton
Janna K
JK
Register
Hsin-Neng
HN
Wang
Hsiangkuo
H
Yuan
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
D015415:Biomarkers; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA