Rolling‐Circle Amplification Detection of Thrombin Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy with Core‐Shell Nanoparticle Probe

An ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor based on rolling‐circle amplification (RCA)‐increased “hot‐spot” was developed for the detection of thrombin. The sensor contains a SERS gold nanoparticle@Raman label@SiO₂ core‐shell nanoparticle probe in which the Raman reporter molecules are sandwiched between a gold nanoparticle core and a thin silica shell by a layer‐by‐layer method. Thrombin aptamer sequences were immobilized onto the magnetic beads (MBs) through hybridization with their complementary strand. In the presence of thrombin, the aptamer sequence was released; this allowed the remaining single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) to act as primer and initiate in situ RCA reaction to produce long ssDNAs. Then, a large number of SERS probes were attached on the long ssDNA templates, causing thousands of SERS probes to be involved in each biomolecular recognition event. This SERS method achieved the detection of thrombin in the range from 1.0×10^?12 to 1.0×10^?8 M and a detection limit of 4.2×10^?13 M , and showed good performance in real serum samples.     

Aptamer‐Based SERS Assay of ATP and Lysozyme by Using Primer Self‐Generation

A simple bifunctional surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay based on primer self‐generation strand‐displacement polymerization (PS‐SDP) is developed to detect small molecules or proteins in parallel. Triphosphate (ATP) and lysozyme are used as the models of small molecules and proteins. Compared to traditional bifunctional methods, the method possesses some remarkable features as follows: 1) by virtue of the simple PS‐SDP reaction, a bifunctional aptamer assembly binding of trigger 1 and trigger 2 was used as a functional structure for the simultaneous sensing of ATP or lysozyme. 2) The concept of isothermal amplification bifunctional detection has been first introduced into SERS biosensing applications as a signal‐amplification tool. 3) The problem of high background induced by excess bio‐barcodes is circumvented by using magnetic beads (MBs) as the carrier of signal‐output products and massive of hairpin DNA binding with SERS active bio‐barcodes relied on Au nanoparticles (Au NPs), SERS signal is significantly enhanced. Overall, with multiple amplification steps and one magnetic‐separation procedure, this flexible biosensing system exhibited not only high sensitivity and specificity, with the detection limits of ATP and lysozyme of 0.05 nM and 10 fM , respectively.     

An ionic surfactant-mediated Langmuir-Blodgett method to construct gold nanoparticle films for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

A gold nanoparticle film for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was successfully constructed by an ionic surfactant-mediated Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method. The gold film was formed by adding ethanol to a gold colloid/hexane mixture in the presence of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Consequently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) assembled at the water/hexane interface due to the decrease in surface charge density of AuNPs. Since DTAB binds the gold surface by a coulombic force, rather than a chemical bonding, it is easily replaced by target molecules for SERS purposes. The SERS enhancement factor of the 80 nm gold nanoparticle film was approximately 1.2 × 10(6) using crystal violet (CV) as a Raman dye. The SERS signal from the proposed DTAB-mediated film was approximately 10 times higher than that from the octanethiol-modified gold film, while the reproducibility and stability of this film compared to an octanethiol-modified film were similar. This method can also be applied to other metal nanostructures to fabricate metal films for use as a sensitive SERS substrate with a higher enhancement factor.     

Self-locked aptamer probe mediated cascade amplification strategy for highly sensitive and selective detection of protein and small molecule

In this work, a novel self-locked aptamer probe mediated cascade amplification strategy has been constructed for highly sensitive and specific detection of protein. First, the self-locked aptamer probe was designed with three functions: one was specific molecular recognition attributed to the aptamer sequence, the second was signal transduction owing to the transduction sequence, and the third was self-locking through the hybridization of the transduction sequence and part of the aptamer sequence. Then, the aptamer sequence specific recognized the target and folded into a three-way helix junction, leading to the release of the transduction sequence. Next, the 3’-end of this three-way junction acted as primer to trigger the strand displacement amplification (SDA), yielding a large amount of primers. Finally, the primers initiated the dual-exponential rolling circle amplification (DE-RCA) and generated numerous G-quadruples sequences. By inserting the fluorescent dye N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM), enhanced fluorescence signal was achieved. In this strategy, the self-locked aptamer probe was more stable to reduce the interference signals generated by the uncontrollable folding in unbounded state. Through the cascade amplification of SDA and DE-RCA, the sensitivity was further improved with a detection limit of 3.8 × 10⁻¹⁶ mol/L for protein detection. Furthermore, by changing the aptamer sequence of the probe, sensitive and selective detection of adenosine has been also achieved, suggesting that the proposed strategy has good versatility and can be widely used in sensitive and selective detection of biomolecules.     

Gold Nanoparticles as Dual Functional Sensor to Detect E.coliDH5α as a Model for Gram‐negative Bacteria

4‐aminothiophenol‐modified gold nanoparticles (PATP‐AuNPs) were used as colorimetric and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) probes for the sensitive detection of Escherichia coliDH5α, as a model for Gram‐negative bacteria. The nano‐probes were easy to prepare through Au‐S bonding. Under optimized conditions, the PATP‐AuNPs surface with positive charge can bind with negatively charged E.coliDH5α via electrostatic adhesion, resulting in a quick color change from red to blue, and also a dramatic SERS signal enhancement from thousands of AuNPs aggregated on the surface of bacteria, which was utilized for both colorimetric and SERS detection of E.coliDH5α. For colorimetric analysis, it is the first time that the classical partial least square (PLS) regression was utilized to deal with the relationship between adsorption and E.coliDH5α concentrations. Excellent linear relationship was observed from 1.1 x 10⁷ to 1.3 x 10⁸ cfu mL^‐1 with the average relative error (ARE) of 5.430, which was more accurate than the traditional extinction ration method. When coupled with confocal Raman microscope, this PATP‐AuNPs probes could be used to detection SERS signals produced from even one single bacterium. This bioassay is rapid, less expensive and convenient for bacteria detection and analysis. Therefore, PATP‐AuNPs system as a novel, versatile, on‐site and real‐time Gram‐negative bacteria sensor, would have a wide range of practical applications.     

The gold-nanoparticle-based surface plasmon resonance light scattering and visual DNA aptasensor for lysozyme

We developed a new simple and sensitive assay for lysozyme based on gold nanoparticle plasmon resonance light scattering (PRLS) measurement and naked-eye detection using for the first time the lysozyme DNA aptamer as the recognition element. Lysozyme DNA aptamer could stabilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) at high ionic strength. Introducing lysozyme to the system easily triggered the aggregation of AuNPs, producing a red-to-blue color change of the solution, red-shifted plasmon absorption, and enhanced plasmon resonance light scattering. The linear range was found to be 0.2∼4 nM for 0.7 nM AuNPs, 0.3∼6 nM for 1.4 nM AuNPs and 0.6∼8 nM for 2.1 nM AuNPs. About 0.1 nM lysozyme can produce an observable enhancement of PRLS signal. For visual detection, 1 nM lysozyme can produce a very distinctive color change. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained for simulated saliva and diluted urine samples, indicating that the method has potential for analyses of clinical samples. The simplicity and high sensitivity that are consistent with the resources and needs of many laboratories makes this method a good choice for routine analysis.     

Exponential Isothermal Amplification of Nucleic Acids and Assays for Proteins,Cells, Small Molecules,and Enzyme Activities: An EXPAR Example

Isothermal exponential amplification techniques, such as strand‐displacement amplification (SDA), rolling circle amplification (RCA), loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA), helicase‐dependent amplification (HDA), and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), have great potential for on‐site, point‐of‐care, and in situ assay applications. These amplification techniques eliminate the need for temperature cycling, as required for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while achieving comparable amplification yields. We highlight here recent advances in the exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) for the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, enzyme activities, cells, and metal ions. The incorporation of fluorescence, colorimetric, chemiluminescence, Raman, and electrochemical approaches enables the highly sensitive detection of a variety of targets. Remaining issues, such as undesirable background amplification resulting from nonspecific template interactions, must be addressed to further improve isothermal and exponential amplification techniques.     

Gold nanoparticle-paper as a three-dimensional surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate

This work investigates the effect of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) addition to paper substrate and examines the ability of these composite materials to amplify the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal of a dye adsorbed. Paper has a three-dimensional (3D), porous, and heterogeneous morphology. The manner in which paper adsorbs the nanoparticles is crucial to its SERS properties, particularly with regards to aggregation. In this work, we sought to maintain the same degree of aggregation, while changing the concentration of nanoparticles deposited on paper. We achieved this by dipping paper into AuNP solutions of different, known concentration and found that the initial packing density of AuNPs in solutions was retained on paper with the same degree of aggregation. The surface coverage of AuNPs on paper was found to scale linearly to their concentration profile in solutions. The SERS performances of the AuNP-treated papers were evaluated with 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as the Raman molecule, and their SERS intensities increased linearly with the AuNPs' concentration. Compared to AuNP-treated silicon, the Raman enhancement factor (EF) from paper was relatively higher due to a more uniform and greater degree of adsorption of AuNPs. The effect of the spatial distribution of AuNPs in their substrates on SERS activity was also investigated. In this experiment, the number of AuNPs was kept constant (a 1 μL droplet of AuNPs was deposited on all substrates), and the distribution profile of AuNPs was controlled by the nature of the substrate: paper, silicon, and hydrophobized paper. The AuNP droplet on paper showed the most reproducible and sensitive SERS signal. This highlighted the role of the z-distribution (through film) of AuNPs within the bulk of the paper, producing a 3D multilayer structure to allow inter- and intralayer plasmon coupling, and hence amplifying the SERS signal. The SERS performance of nanoparticle-functionalized paper can thus be optimized by controlling the 3D distribution of the metallic nanoparticles, and such control is critical if these systems are to be implemented as a low-cost and highly sensitive bioassay platform.     

溶胶-凝胶法原位复合PVA/HA水凝胶的结构表征与性能研究

采用溶胶-凝胶原位复合的方法制备了聚乙烯醇/羟基磷灰石生物活性复合水凝胶,探讨了HA含量对复合水凝胶结构性能的影响,用X射线衍射分析、红外光谱分析、DSC、扫描电镜等方法对HA在PVA水凝胶体系中的晶态结构及分散状态进行了表征,并与物理共混复合法进行了比较.研究发现,采用溶胶-凝胶法原位复合可在PVA水凝胶中形成具有生物活性的HA结晶结构,且分散良好,分布均匀.HA粉体作为异相成核剂,促进了PVA水凝胶基体的结晶,提高了复合水凝胶的力学性能.     

金纳米粒子膜的电化学合成及SERS活性分析

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)-active gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) films were prepared with a one-step electrochemical method. The orthogonal design was used to investigate the experimental conditions influencing the morphologies and the SERS activity of the AuNPs. A condition was found to obtain the optimal SERS activity. The SEM study reveals that the AuNPs films were composed of closely packed AuNPs. The Finite Difference Time Domain(FDTD) simulation result indicates that the coupling between particles plays an important role in the enhancement SERS of AuNPs.     

基于光子晶体带边效应的表面增强拉曼基底

将光子晶体的带边效应与金纳米粒子的拉曼散射增强作用相结合,制备了一种新型光子晶体表面增强拉曼散射基底(PC-AuNPs),利用罗丹明B(RhB)作为报告分子,对所得基底性能进行检测.PC-AuNPs基底的制备包括3个步骤:在SiO2微球表面修饰氨基,再通过垂直沉降自组装得到蛋白石结构光子晶体(PC), 最后, 在光子晶体表面负载金纳米粒子(AuNPs).结果表明,光子晶体的带隙范围及AuNPs的负载量直接影响了PC-AuNPs基底的检测效果;以所得的PC-AuNPs基底测定RhB分子,其拉曼散射特征峰强度与浓度对数值呈现良好的线性关系,线性方程为I=1711lg[RhB(mol/L)]+15244,线性相关系数R2=0.9994,检出限为1×10-8 mol/L,表明此PC-AuNPs基底可用于目标物的定性及定量检测.本方法提高了传统拉曼散射光谱检测灵敏度,操作简单,具有良好的重现性,可为其它新型检测基底的制备提供.     

Protein-based SERS technology monitoring the chemical reactivity on an α-synuclein-mediated two-dimensional array of gold nanoparticles

The enhancement of weak Raman signals has been challenged to obtain high-quality signals of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). By employing the Parkinson's disease-related protein of α-synuclein, we introduce SERS-active gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) individually isolated with an ultrathin α-synuclein shell and their 2-D array into a tightly packed monolayer on a glass support, which permits a quantitative SERS measurement of phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (PcTS), a chemical ligand of the pathological protein. Subsequently, the PcTS-bound SERS substrate was also shown to be capable of discriminating two biologically important metal ions of iron and copper by detecting copper ion to the sub-ppm level in a highly selective manner via the in situ chemical reaction of metal chelation to PcTS. The strategy of using the protein-based 2-D AuNP SERS platform, therefore, could be further developed into a custom-made protein-based biosensor system for the detection of not only specific chemical/biological ligands of the immobilized coat proteins but also their biochemical reactivities.     

Electrochemical pathway for the quantification of SERS enhancement factor

This communication presents a new pathway for the more precise quantification of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor via deducing resonance Raman scattering (RRS) effect from surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). To achieve this, a self-assembled monolayer of 1,8,15,22-tetraaminophthalocyanatocobalt(II) (4α-Co^IITAPc) is formed on plasmon inactive glassy carbon (GC) and plasmon active GC/AuNP surface. The surfaces are subsequently used as common probes for electrochemical and Raman (RRS and SERRS) studies. The most crucial parameters required for the quantification of SERS substrate enhancement factor (SSEF) such as real surface area of GC/AuNPs substarte and the number of 4α-Co^IITAPc molecules contributing to RRS (on GC) and SERRS (on GC/AuNPs) are precisely estimated by cyclic voltammetry experiments. The present approach of SSEF quantification can be applied to varieties of surfaces by choosing an appropriate laser line and probe molecule for each surface.     

复合纳米材料Cu2O@Au对水体中罗丹明B的检测应用研究

制备了多面体Cu2 O纳米粒子,利用Cu2 O的还原性,在其表面原位生成了不同密度的Au纳米粒子,制备了Au、Cu共同增强拉曼信号的复合纳米粒子Cu2 O@Au.利用透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)等对制备的Cu2 O和Cu2 O@Au的形貌、粒径、表面性能等进行了表征.研究了Cu2 O表面金纳米粒子的分布密度对水样中目标检测物罗丹明B的拉曼增强效果.结果表明,氯金酸浓度在1 mmol/L时制备的Cu2 O@Au表面均匀覆盖一层金纳米粒子,其表面增强拉曼效果最为显著,对水样中罗丹明B检测范围为1×10-2~5×10-6 mol/L.研究了此探针在PBS(1×)和酸性水溶液(0.01 mol/L HCl)中的稳定性,并将其用于沂河水样中靶标的检测实验,结果表明,其稳定性较好.     

3D SERS Imaging Using Chemically Synthesized Highly Symmetric Nanoporous Silver Microparticles

3D surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging with highly symmetric 3D silver microparticles as a SERS substrate was developed. Although the synthesis method is purely chemical and does not involve lithography, the synthesized nanoporous silver microparticles possess a regular hexapod shape and octahedral symmetry. By using p‐aminothiophenol (PATP) as a probe molecule, the 3D enhancement patterns of the particles were shown to be very regular and predictable, resembling the particle shape and exhibiting symmetry. An application to the detection of 3D inhomogeneity in a polymer blend, which relies on the predictable enhancement pattern of the substrate, is presented. 3D SERS imaging using the substrate also provides an improvement in spatial resolution along the Z axis, which is a challenge for Raman measurement in polymers, especially layered polymeric systems.     

金纳米粒子修饰的氨基硅胶整体柱的制备及超灵敏表面增强拉曼散射检测

采用溶胶-凝胶法结合超分子模板技术, 以四乙氧基硅烷(TEOS)和3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(APTES)作为反应前体, 以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTMAB)为超分子模板, 简单快速地制备了一种新型氨基硅胶整体柱, 通过氨基将金纳米粒子组装在整体柱材料孔表面并用于表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)光谱分析. 以对巯基苯胺(PATP)和结晶紫(CV)为拉曼探针, 考察了金纳米粒子修饰的氨基硅胶整体柱用作SERS活性基底的性能. 结果表明, 该整体柱基底具有良好的SERS增强效应, 可检测到的PATP和CV的最低浓度分别为10^-9和10^-11 mol/L. 与金溶胶SERS基底相比, 本文制备的整体柱基底的检测灵敏度显著提高, 并具有良好的信号均一性, 是一种具有现场痕量检测应用潜力的SERS活性基底.     

Construction of a Graphene/Au‐Nanoparticles/Cucurbit[7]uril‐Based Sensor for Pb2+ Sensing

The development of highly sensitive and selective methods for the detection of lead ion (Pb²⁺) is of great scientific importance. In this work, we develop a new surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐based sensor for the selective trace measurement of Pb²⁺. The SERS‐based sensor is assembled from gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and graphene using cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) as a precise molecular glue and a local SERS reporter. Upon the addition of Pb²⁺, CB[7] forms stronger complexes with Pb²⁺ and desorbs from AuNPs, resulting in a sensitive “turn‐off” of SERS signals. This SERS‐based assay shows a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 nm and a linear detection range from 1 nm to 0.3 μm for Pb²⁺. The feasibility of the assay is further demonstrated by probing Pb²⁺ in real water samples. This SERS‐based analytical method is highly sensitive and selective, and therefore holds promising applications in environmental analysis.     

[Ru(bpy)2(dcbpy)NHS] Labeling/Aptamer‐Based Biosensor for the Detection of Lysozyme by Increasing Sensitivity with Gold Nanoparticle Amplification

A novel [Ru(bpy)₂(dcbpy)NHS] labeling/aptamer‐based biosensor combined with gold nanoparticle amplification for the determination of lysozyme with an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method is presented. In this work, an aptamer, an ECL probe, gold nanoparticle amplification, and competition assay are the main protocols employed in ECL detection. With all the protocols used, an original biosensor coupled with an aptamer and [Ru(bpy)₂(dcbpy)NHS] has been prepared. Its high selectivity and sensitivity are the main advantages over other traditional [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ biosensors. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization illustrate that this biosensor is fabricated successfully. Finally, the biosensor was applied to a displacement assay in different concentrations of lysozyme solution, and an ultrasensitive ECL signal was obtained. The ECL intensity decreased proportionally to the lysozyme concentration over the range 1.0×10^?13–1.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?13 mol L^?1. This strategy for the aptasensor opens a rapid, selective, and sensitive route for the detection of lysozyme and potentially other proteins.     

Monitoring of Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide in Living Cells Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has emerged as an important gasotransmitter in diverse physiological processes, although many aspects of its roles remain unclear, partly owing to a lack of robust analytical methods. Herein we report a novel surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor, 4‐acetamidobenzenesulfonyl azide‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/4‐AA), for detecting the endogenous H₂S in living cells. The detection is accomplished with SERS spectrum changes of AuNPs/4‐AA resulting from the reaction of H₂S with 4‐AA on AuNPs. The SERS nanosensor exhibits high selectivity toward H₂S. Furthermore, AuNPs/4‐AA responds to H₂S within 1 min with a 0.1 μM level of sensitivity. In particular, our SERS method can be utilized to monitor the endogenous H₂S generated in living glioma cells, demonstrating its great promise in studies of pathophysiological pathways involving H₂S.     

Aptamer‐based detection and quantitative analysis of human immunoglobulin E in capillary electrophoresis with chemiluminescence detection

A novel aptamer‐based CE with chemiluminescence (CL) assay was developed for highly sensitive detection of human immunoglobulin E (IgE). The IgE aptamer was conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to form AuNPs‐aptamer that could specifically recognize the IgE to produce an AuNPs‐aptamer‐IgE complex. The mixture of the AuNPs‐aptamer‐IgE complex and the unbounded AuNPs‐aptamer could be effectively separated by CE and sensitively detected with luminol‐H₂O₂ CL system. By taking the advantage of the excellent catalytic behavior of AuNPs on luminol‐H₂O₂ CL system, the ultrasensitive detection of IgE was achieved. The detection limit of IgE is 7.6 fM (S/N = 3) with a linear range from 0.025 to 250 pM. Successful detection of IgE in human serum samples was demonstrated and the recoveries of 94.9–103.2% were obtained. The excellent assay features of the developed approach are its specificity, sensitivity, adaptability, and very small sample consumption. Our design provides a methodology model for determination of rare proteins in biological samples.