Open AccessSurface-enhanced Raman scattering of CoV-SARS-2 viral proteins in a strong coupling regime
Author(s) -
Konstantin Mochalov,
Pavel Samokhvalov,
Galiifontova,
T. Tsoi,
Alyona Sukhanova,
Igor Nabiev
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2058/1/012020
Subject(s) - raman scattering , glycoprotein , silver nanoparticle , materials science , raman spectroscopy , population , chemistry , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , biophysics , nanoparticle , optics , biology , physics , biochemistry , demography , sociology
Fast, sensitive, high-throughput detection of coronavirus antigens at physiologically relevant levels is essential for population screening that could prevent epidemics such as the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Optical methods based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy are promising for this purpose because they ensure quick detection of even single biological molecules in a sample. For achieving such a high sensitivity, it is crucial to design SERS-active systems concentrating incident radiation into small sample volumes. Here, metal-dielectric cavities have been obtained through interaction of protein sulfhydryl groups with a SERS-active silver surface. The concentration of light in these cavities allows the differential detection of spike glycoprotein and nucleocapsid protein of SARS-COV-2, which are its key antigens, at physiologically relevant concentrations. The cavity Q-factor can be increased by additionally covering the dielectric protein film with a silver shell to form an ultrathin cavity, which provides an at least tenfold enhancement of the detection signal. The results could be used to design high-throughput systems for specific and sensitive detection of viral antigens and quick diagnosis of viral infections.