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Spectroscopy on the wing: Naturally inspired SERS substrates for biochemical analysis
Author(s) -
Garrett Natalie L.,
Vukusic Peter,
Ogrin Feodor,
Sirotkin Evgeny,
Winlove C. Peter,
Moger Julian
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of biophotonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1864-0648
pISSN - 1864-063X
DOI - 10.1002/jbio.200810057
Subject(s) - biocompatibility , nanotechnology , raman scattering , raman spectroscopy , nanostructure , materials science , chemistry , avidin , biotin , biochemistry , organic chemistry , optics , physics
We show that naturally occurring chitinous nanostructures found on the wings of the Graphium butterfly can be used as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering when coated with a thin film of gold or silver. The substrates were found to exhibit excellent biocompatibility and sensitivity, making them ideal for protein assaying. An assay using avidin/biotin binding showed that the substrates could be used to quantify protein binding directly from changes in the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra and were sensitive over a concentration range comparable with a typical enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) assay. A biomimetic version of the wing nanostructures produced using a highly reproducible, large‐scale fabrication process, yielded comparable enhancement factors and biocompatibility. The excellent biocompatibility of the wings and biomimetic substrates is unparalleled by other lithographically produced substrates, and this could pave the way for widespread application of ultrasensitive SERS‐based bioassays. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)