Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering for Multiplexed Detection

Analyst
Cite this: Analyst, 2012, 137, 545 www.rsc.org/analyst

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MINIREVIEW

Surface enhanced Raman scattering for multiplexed detection
Jennifer A. Dougan and Karen Faulds*
Downloaded by East China University of Science & Technology on 19 September 2012 Published on 20 December 2011 on http://pubs.rsc.org | doi:10.1039/C2AN15979A

Received 19th October 2011, Accepted 25th November 2011 DOI: 10.1039/c2an15979a The multiplexed detection of biological analytes from complex mixtures is of crucial importance for the future of intelligent management and detection of disease. This review focuses on recent advances in the use of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy as an analytical technique that can deliver multiplexed detection for a variety of biological target in increasingly complex media. The use of SERS has developed from the multipelxed detection of custom dye molecules to biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. Recent work has also shown the capability of SERS multiplexing for in vivo as well as in vitro applications.

Introduction
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word ‘‘multiplex’’ as a verb ‘‘to enable a line to carry several signals simultaneously.’’1 From an analytical detection point of view this descriptor applies to the concept of multiplex species detection i.e. the simultaneous detection of more than one analyte from a single sample without the need for separation and using a single sample readout. There are a number of analytically significant situations in which multiplexing is an attractive goal. One of the most desireable applications is for the detection of biomolecules where it is often required that several species be detected simultaneously and prefereably without separation from the biological matrix,

Centre for Nanometrology, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, WestCHEM, University of Strathclyde, 295...