Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Optical Labels Deliver Chemical Information from Live Cells

摘要

We demonstrate the application of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in robust and sensitive optical probes for measurements in living cells. The hybrid probes consist of gold or silver nanoaggregates with an attached reporter species, e.g. a dye. They are detected based on the SERS signature of the reporter molecule. This approach results in several advantages compared to other optical labels, such as improved contrast, high spectral specificity, multiplex capabilities, and photostability. SERS probes do not only highlight targeted cellular or other biological structures through the specific reporter spectrum, SERS in the local optical fields of the gold or silver nanostructures also provides sensitive and spatially localized molecular structural information on the cellular environment.