Biosensing using sers active gold nanostructures

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become a powerful tool for biosensing applications owing to its fingerprint recognition, high sensitivity, multiplex detection, and biocom-patibility. This review provides an overview of the most significant aspects of SERS for biomedical and biosensing applications. We first introduced the mechanisms at the basis of the SERS amplifi-cations: electromagnetic and chemical enhancement. We then illustrated several types of substrates and fabrication methods, with a focus on gold-based nanostructures. We further analyzed the rele-vant factors for the characterization of the SERS sensor performances, including sensitivity, repro-ducibility, stability, sensor configuration (direct or indirect), and nanotoxicity. Finally, a representa-tive selection of applications in the biomedical field is provided.