Universal surface-enhanced Raman scattering amplification detector for ultrasensitive detection of multiple target analytes.
Up to now, the successful fabrication of efficient hot-spot substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) remains an unsolved problem. To address this issue, we describe herein a universal aptamer-based SERS biodetection approach that uses a single-stranded DNA as a universal trigger (UT) to induce SERS-active hot-spot formation, allowing, in turn, detection of a broad range of targets. More specifically, interaction between the aptamer probe and its target perturbs a triple-helix aptamer/UT structure in a manner that activates a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) among three short DNA building blocks that self-assemble into a long DNA polymer. The SERS-active hot-spots are formed by conjugating 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT)-encoded gold nanoparticles with the DNA polymer through a specific Au-S bond. As proof-of-principle, we used this approach to quantify multiple target analytes, including thrombin, adenosine, and CEM cancer cells, achieving lowest limit of detection values of 18 pM, 1.5 nM, and 10 cells/mL, respectively. As a universal SERS detector, this prototype can be applied to many other target analytes through the use of suitable DNA-functional partners, thus inspiring new designs and applications of SERS for bioanalysis.
State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Molecular Medicine, Hunan University , Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
Jing
J
Zheng
Yaping
Y
Hu
Junhui
J
Bai
Cheng
C
Ma
Jishan
J
Li
Yinhui
Y
Li
Muling
M
Shi
Weihong
W
Tan
Ronghua
R
Yang
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
D006046:Gold