Detection of Molecular and Biomolecular Species by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

The goal of this STTR Phase II Proposal is to complete development of the nanoshell-based surface enhanced Raman scattering substrate (NERS) developed in our successful Phase I work. This Phase II work will focus on commercialization of the substrate developed in Phase I by (i) refining manufacturing methods, including substrate composition, nanoshell deposition, and detection geometry to increase NERS sensitivity and (ii) developing model assay systems for conjugation of biomolecules onto the substrate for detection of relevant chemical entities. Our Phase I work demonstrated the following key elements of feasibility: (i) a nanoshell-based substrate can be reproducibly manufactured; (ii) this nanoshell-based substrate is stable under conditions expected in routine use; and (iii) this substrate reproducibly provides significant (>10^10) SERS enhancements from individual nanoshells, allowing a new level of sensitivity in Raman testing. This Phase II work will optimize the sensitivity of the substrate by optimizing anchoring and deposition methods and detection modalities. Additionally, we will develop Raman-based assays using periplasmic binding proteins as capture molecules.