Issue 23, 2009

Label-free and highly sensitive biomolecular detection using SERS and electrokinetic preconcentration

Abstract

In this paper, we present a method combining surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy to detect biomolecules in a label-free way with an electrokinetic preconcentration technique (electrophoresis) to amplify biomolecular signals at low concentrations. A constant electric field is applied to charged biomolecules in solution, attracting them to an oppositely charged electrode, which is also used as a SERS substrate. Within 5 min, we observed that the SERS signal of 10 fM adenine was amplified to the level of the signal of non-preconcentrated 1 µM adenine (sensitivity improvement by 8 orders of magnitude) and the method was effective over a wide range of concentrations (10 fM to 1 µM). The signals were further amplified under stronger electric field and longer application: The increase of the signal intensity was observed to be 51 times at −0.6 V cm−1 after 25 min. The effectiveness of this method allows the creation of label-free, target-specific, and highly sensitive monitoring applications.

Graphical abstract: Label-free and highly sensitive biomolecular detection using SERS and electrokinetic preconcentration

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jun 2009
Accepted
20 Aug 2009
First published
01 Oct 2009

Lab Chip, 2009,9, 3360-3363

Label-free and highly sensitive biomolecular detection using SERS and electrokinetic preconcentration

H. Cho, B. Lee, G. L. Liu, A. Agarwal and L. P. Lee, Lab Chip, 2009, 9, 3360 DOI: 10.1039/B912076A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements