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SERS-based DNA detection in aqueous solutions using oligonucleotide-modified Ag nanoprisms and gold nanoparticles

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry volume 405, pages 6131–6136 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Oligonucleotide-modified nanoparticle conjugates show highly promising potential for SERS-based DNA detection. However, it remains challenging to carry out the SERS-based DNA detection in aqueous solutions directly using oligonucleotide-modified nanoparticles, because the Raman reporters would exhibit lower signals when they are dispersed in aqueous solutions than laid on “dry” metal nanoparticles. Here, we synthesized stable oligonucleotide-modified Ag nanoprism conjugates, and performed SERS-based DNA detection in aqueous solution directly by using such conjugates in combination with Raman reporter-labeled, oligonucleotide-modified gold nanoparticles. The experimental results indicate that this SERS-based DNA detection approach exhibited a good linear correlation between SERS signal intensity and the logarithm of target DNA concentration ranging from 10−11∼10−8 M. This sensitivity is comparable to those SERS-based DNA detection approaches with the “dry” process. Additionally, a similar correlation could also be observed in duplex target DNA detection by SERS hybrid probes. Our results suggest that the oligonucleotide-modified Ag nanoprisms may be developed as a powerful SERS-based DNA detection tool.

Scheme of SERS-based DNA detection in aqueous solutions. Capture DNA-modified Ag nanoprisms and Raman reporter-labeled, report DNA-modified gold nanoparticles are utilized in the detection

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Fig. 1
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Abbreviations

4-MBA:

4-Mercaptobenzoic acid

CtDNA :

Target DNA concentration

DTNB:

5,5′-Dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid)

FAM:

6-Carboxyfluorescein

NP:

Nanoparticle

NPR:

Nanoprism

PSSS:

Poly(sodium styrenesulfonate)

SDS:

Sodium dodecyl sulfate

SERS:

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering

TDNAa :

Target DNAa

TDNAb :

Target DNAb

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Nos. 61177033, 21104009, 61275182), the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (SRFDP) (Nos. 20090092110015), Science Foundation for The Excellent Youth Scholars of Southeast University and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

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  1. Advanced Photonics Center, Southeast University, 2# Sipai Lou, Nanjing, 210096, Jiangsu, China

    Min Liu, Zhuyuan Wang, Shenfei Zong, Ruohu Zhang, Dan Zhu, Shuhong Xu, Chunlei Wang & Yiping Cui

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  1. Min Liu
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  2. Zhuyuan Wang
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  3. Shenfei Zong
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  4. Ruohu Zhang
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  5. Dan Zhu
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  6. Shuhong Xu
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  7. Chunlei Wang
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  8. Yiping Cui
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Correspondence to Yiping Cui.

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Liu, M., Wang, Z., Zong, S. et al. SERS-based DNA detection in aqueous solutions using oligonucleotide-modified Ag nanoprisms and gold nanoparticles. Anal Bioanal Chem 405, 6131–6136 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7016-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-013-7016-9

Keywords

  • DNA
  • Silver nanoprism
  • Oligonucleotide
  • SERS
  • Gold nanoparticle