SERS-bases biosensors for biomedical applications

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has received increasing research interest due to its excellent resolution, high sensitivity and rapid detection of low concentration analytes, particularly in biomedicine. Herein, it is provided an overview of recent developments and applications of SERS-based nanosensors and nanoreporters developed in our laboratory for use in biochemical monitoring, medical diagnostics, and therapy. The design and fabrication of different types of plasmonic-active nanostructures and devices, including fiber-optrode SERS sensors and hybrid nanovectors for drug delivery and local sensing, will be discussed. The applications of the SERS nanosensors for protein detection as well as local quantification and controlled release of drugs in living cancer cells will be presented.