Label-free detection of renal cancer
Natural and/or synthetic antibodies for specific proteins are adhered to nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are adhered to a substrate and the substrate is exposed to a sample that may contain the specific proteins. The substrates are then tested with surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques and/or localized surface plasmon resonance techniques to quantify the amount of the specific protein in the sample.
1. A surface enhanced Raman scattering sample collection and testing apparatus comprising:
a fibrous substrate; and
a plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are metal nanorods, adhered to a surface of the fibrous substrate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fibrous substrate comprises a cellulous substrate.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles are gold nanorods.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fibrous substrate is a natural fibrous material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fibrous substrate is a synthetic fibrous material.
6. A method of testing a surface for a target substance comprising:
swabbing a surface with a surface enhanced Raman scattering sample collection and testing apparatus comprising:
a fibrous substrate; and; a plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are metal nanorods, adhered to a surface of the fibrous substrate; and
performing Raman spectroscopy on a surface enhanced Raman scattering sample collection and testing apparatus.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the target substance is at least one of a bacteria, a virus, a biological agent, a chemical agent, an explosive, and an explosive residue.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
preparing a solution of nanoparticles;
submerging at least a portion of a cellulose substrate in the prepared solution of nanoparticles; and
removing the portion of the cellulose substrate from the prepared solution of nanoparticles.