Plasmonic Sensors for Disease Detection - A Review

Abstract

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) have become powerful bio-sensing techniques. These techniques allow for rapid and ultra-sensitive detection of biological analytes with applications in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Plasmonic sensors are fabricated using metal nanoparticles, metal nanostructures or a combination of both. With major advancements in the area of nano synthesis, the development of plasmonic sensors has expanded significantly. Plasmonic platforms offer a viable substitute to detection techniques such as Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in some cases and complement them in many others. Most of the state-of-the-art plasmonic biosensors can measure binding affinity and kinetic rates in real time from any molecule that can change its refractive index. Other developments in plasmonics include the use of metamaterials that operate in the visible and infra-red region. In this review, we will briefly cover the developments in the last few years in plasmonics as it relates to disease detection.