SERS-based detection of biomolecules

Abstract

In order to detect biomolecules, different approaches using for instance biological, spectroscopic or imaging techniques are established. Due to the broad variety of these methods, this review is focused on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as an analytical tool in biomolecule detection. Here, the molecular specificity of Raman spectroscopy is combined with metallic nanoparticles as sensor platform, which enhances the signal intensity by several orders of magnitude. Within this article, the characterization of diverse biomolecules by means of SERS is explained and moreover current application fields are presented. The SERS intensity and as a consequence thereof the reliable detection of the biomolecule of interest is effected by distance, orientation and affinity of the molecule towards the metal surface. Furthermore, the great capability of the SERS technique for cutting-edge applications like pathogen detection and cancer diagnosis is highlighted. We wish to motivate by this comprehensive and critical summary researchers from various scientific background to create their own ideas and schemes for a SERS-based detection and analysis of biomolecules.