Sers-based analyte detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to method detecting analytes by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), comprising contacting the analytes with at least one analyte binding molecule attached to a metal substrate surface that enhances Raman scattering via a Raman-active molecular linker; and detecting a surface enhanced Raman signal from said compound. In a further aspect, this invention relates to a conjugate and a biosensor suitable for the invented SERS-based analyte detection method.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A conjugate for the detection of an analyte using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy comprising an analyte binding molecule, a Raman-active molecular linker and a metal substrate, wherein the analyte binding molecule is covalently coupled to the Raman-active molecular linker and the Raman-active molecular linker is covalently attached to the metal substrate, wherein the Raman-active molecular linker is selected from the group consisting of 6-Mercaptopurine, 8-Aza-adenine, N-Benzoyladenine, 2-Mercapto-benzimidazole, 4-Amino-pyrazole[3,4-d]pyrimidine, Zeatin, Methylene Blue, 9-Amino-acridine, Ethidium Bromide, Bismarck Brown Y, N-Benzyl-aminopurine, Thionin acetate, 3,6-Diaminoacridine, 6-Cyanopurine, 4-Amino-5-imidazole-carboxamidehydrochloride, 1,3-Diiminoisoindoline, Rhodamine 6G, Crystal Violet, Aniline Blue Diammonium salt, N-[(3-(Anilinomethylene)-2-chloro-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)methylene]anilinemonohydrochloride, O-(7-Azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate, 9-Aminofluorene hydrochloride, Basic Blue, 1,8-Diamino-4,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone, Proflavine hemisulfate salt hydrate, 2-Amino-1,1,3-propenetricarbonitrile, Variamine Blue RT salt, 4,5,6-Triaminopyrimidine sulfate salt, 2-Amino-benzothiazole, Melamine, 3-(3-Pyridylmethylamino)Propionitrile, Silver(I) Sulfadiazine, Acriflavine, 4-Amino-6-mercaptopyrazole[3,4-d]pyrimidine, 2-Aminopurine, Adenine Thiol FAD Fluoroadenine, 4-Amino-6-mercapyopyrazole[3,4-d]pyrimidine, Rhodamine 110, Adenine, 5-Amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole, Acridine Orange Hydrochloride, Cresyl Violate Acetate, Acriflavine Neutral, Dimidium Bromide, 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin Tetra(p-toluenesulfonate), 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-trimethylaminophenyl)porphyrin Tetra(p-toluenesulfonate), 3,5-Diaminoacridine Hydrochloride, Propidium Iodide (3,8-diamino-5-(3-diethylaminopropyl)-6-phenylphenanthridinium iodidemethiodide), Trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide, and 4-((4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)azo)benzoic acid, succinimidyl ester, and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The conjugate of  claim 24 , wherein the analyte binding molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antibody fragment, and antibody-like molecules. 
     
     
         26 . The conjugate of  claim 25 , wherein the analyte binding molecule is a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         27 . The conjugate of  claim 24 , wherein the Raman-active molecular linker is a thiol-group containing compound. 
     
     
         28 . The conjugate of  claim 24 , wherein the analyte binding molecule is covalently coupled to the Raman-active molecular linker by amide bond formation. 
     
     
         29 . The conjugate of  claim 28 , wherein 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide is used as a coupling agent. 
     
     
         30 - 42 . (canceled)