Ms. Jian Sun Profile

KEYWORDS: Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Silver, Nanosensors, Silica, Proteins, Optical spheres, Raman scattering, Metals, Sensors, Raman spectroscopy

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The early detection of biological warfare (BW) agents before any symptoms are present is critical for saving lives and reducing cost of therapy. Protein expression in T-cells represents one of the earliest detectable cellular signaling events to occur in response to the exposure to various toxins or BW agents. In order to fully understand a cellular response to a particular BW agent, it is often necessary to monitor the expression of specific proteins. Therefore, we have developed a novel class of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) immuno-nanosensors for the real-time monitoring of protein expression within individual living cells. In this work, we have developed and optimized novel nanosphere-based silver coated SERS nanosensors for the detection of proteins at cellular levels. SERS nanosensors were optimized in terms of nanosphere size, silver coating methods, number of silver layers, antibody binding and affinity. These nanosensors are capable of being inserted into individual cells and non-invasively positioned to the sub-cellular location of interest using optical tweezers. They were constructed from monodisperse silica nanospheres. These nanospheres were condensed from tetraalkoxysilanes in an alcoholic solution of water and ammonia. Accurate control of the silica nanospheres’ diameter was achieved by varying the reaction conditions. Nanosphere-based SERS immuno-nanosensors were then prepared by depositing multiple layers of silver on silica spheres, followed by binding of the antibody of interest to the silver. In binding the antibodies, different cross linker agents were characterized and compared. On one end, each of these cross linker agents contained sulfur or isothiocyanate groups which bound to the silver surface, while the other end contained a carboxylic or primary amine group which reacted readily with the antibodies. In order to improve sensitivity of these nanosensors, optimal silver surface coverage with crosslinkers was determined. Following binding of antibodies, evaluation of the nanosensors was performed by monitoring the SERS spectra of the nanosensors prior to and following exposure to the antigen of interest. These results showed reproducible differences in the SERS spectra upon exposure to the antigens confirming their ability to monitor trace amounts of antigen. In particular, these SERS-based nanosensors were shown successfully detect human insulin at trace levels.

Proceedings Article | 7 December 2004 Paper

Nanosphere-based SERS immuno-sensors for protein analysis

Honggang Li, Jian Sun, Brian Cullum

Proceedings Volume 5588, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.568038

KEYWORDS: Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Silver, Silica, Optical spheres, Proteins, Raman spectroscopy, Raman scattering, Luminescence, Spectroscopy, Molecules

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We have developed and optimized novel nanosphere-based silver coated SERS substrates for the detection of proteins. These SERS substrates were optimized for silver thickness, number of silver layers, and extent of silver oxidation between layers. Immuno-nanosensors capable of being inserted into individual cells and non-invasively positioned to the sub-cellular location of interest using optical tweezers were constructed from monodisperse silica nanospheres. Silica nanospheres ranging in diameter from 100 to 4500 nm were condensed from tetraalkoxysilanes in an alcoholic solution of water and ammonia. By varying the reaction conditions, accurate control of the silica nanospheres’ diameter was achieved. Silica sphere sizes were optimized for SERS signal response. Nanosphere-based SERS substrates were made by depositing multiple layers of silver on the nanospheres, followed by binding of the antibody of interest to the silver. In binding the antibodies, different crosslinkers were characterized and compared. On one end, each of these crosslinkers contained sulfur or isothiocyanate groups which bound to the silver surface, while the other end contained a carboxylic or primary amine group which reacted readily with the antibodies. In order to evaluate these substrates, SERS spectra of different proteins, such as insulin and interleukin-2 (IL-2), were obtained. By using silver, as the metal surface for SERS, red and near-infrared excitation wavelengths (i.e., 600-700 nm) can be used. Excitation in this range helps to avoid photodamage to cells and reduces any autofluorescence background. Evaluation of these SERS substrates was performed using a 10 mW HeNe laser, operating at 632.8 nm, in a collinear excitation/detection geometry. The SERS signals were filtered with a holographic notch filter, dispersed by 1/3 meter spectrometer and detected using an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD). This paper discusses the fabrication and optimization of these nanosensors, as well as their potential applications.

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