Microarray-based detection of dye-labeled DNA by SERRS using particles formed by enzymatic silver deposition.

The growing interest in DNA diagnostics is addressed today by microarrays with fluoresence detection. In our approach, we utilize spatially defined arrays of short oligonucleotides on a modified glass surface. Surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) is used to obtain molecularly specific spectra of the Raman-active dye-labeled DNA.

SERS: a versatile tool in chemical and biochemical diagnostics.

Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool in various research fields. The technique yields structural information from all kind of samples often without the need for extensive sample preparation. Since the Raman signals are inherently weak and therefore do not allow one to investigate substances in low concentrations, one possible approach is surface-enhanced (resonance) Raman spectroscopy.