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 label-free method for detecting a target molecule in a biological sample, the method comprising:
obtaining a biological sample from the subject;
contacting the biological sample with a substrate comprising a plasmonic biosensor,
wherein the plasmonic biosensor comprises:
a nanostructure core; and an agent immobilized to the nanostructure core, wherein the agent specifically binds to a target molecule;
wherein the target molecule in the biological sample forms a complex with the plasmonic biosensor; and
detecting the complex.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the complex is detected using a method selected from the group consisting of local surface plasmon resonance and surface enhanced Raman scattering.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper and a fibrous mat.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the fibrous mat is selected from the group consisting of a woven fibrous mat, a non-woven fibrous mat, and combinations thereof.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the nanostructure core is selected from the group consisting of a gold nanostructure core, a silver nanostructure core, a copper nanostructure core, and combinations thereof.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the agent is immobilized to the nanostructure core by a linker.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the biological sample comprises a liquid biological sample.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the liquid biological sample is selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and sweat.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of a cell, a protein, a peptide, a nucleic acid, and combinations thereof.
10 . A label-free method for detecting a target molecule in a biological sample, the method comprising:
obtaining a biological sample from the subject;
contacting the biological sample with a substrate comprising a plasmonic biosensor, wherein the plasmonic biosensor comprises:
a nanostructure core; and
at least one antibody immobilized to the nanostructure core, wherein the at least one antibody specifically binds to a target molecule; and
wherein the target molecule in the biological sample forms a complex with the plasmonic biosensor; and
detecting the complex.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the complex is detected using a method selected from the group consisting of local surface plasmon resonance and surface enhanced Raman scattering.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper and a fibrous mat.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the fibrous mat is selected from the group consisting of a woven fibrous mat, a non-woven fibrous mat, and combinations thereof.
14 . The method of claim 10 wherein the nanostructure core is selected from the group consisting of a gold nanostructure core, a silver nanostructure core, a copper nanostructure core, and combinations thereof.
15 . The method of claim 10 wherein the antibody is immobilized to the nanostructure core by a linker.
16 . The method of claim 10 wherein the biological sample comprises a liquid biological sample.
17 . The method of claim 16 wherein the liquid biological sample is selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and sweat.
18 . The method of claim 10 wherein the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of a cell, a protein, a peptide, a nucleic acid, and combinations thereof.