Current Trends in In Vitro Diagnostics Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering in Translational Biomedical Research

Abstract

Immunoassays using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are prosperous in disease diagnosis due to their excellent multiplexing ability, high sensitivity, and large dynamic range. Given the recent advancements in SERS immunoassays, this work provides a comprehensive overview, from fundamental principles to practical applications. An mRNA sensor utilizing Raman spectroscopy is a detection method that leverages the unique vibrational characteristics of mRNA molecules to identify and quantify their presence in a sample, often achieved through a technique called SERS, where specially designed nanoparticles amplify the Raman signal, allowing for the highly sensitive detection of even small amounts of mRNA. This review analyzes SERS assays used to detect RNA biomarkers, which show promise in cancer diagnostics and are being actively studied clinically. To selectively detect a specific mRNA sequence, a probe molecule (e.g., a DNA oligonucleotide complementary to the target mRNA) is attached to the SERS substrate, allowing the target mRNA to hybridize and generate a detectable Raman signal upon binding. Thus, the discussion includes proposals to enhance SERS immunoassay performance, along with future challenges and perspectives, offering concise, valid guidelines for platform selection based on application.