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 flexible substrate; and
a plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are metal nanoparticles, adhered to a surface of the flexible substrate,
wherein each nanoparticle comprises:
a core, wherein the core is a multi-particle nanostructure; and
a polymer adhered to the core, said polymer having at least one pore formed by a target protein such that the pore has a shape substantially complementary to the target protein.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate comprises a cellulose substrate.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate is a natural fibrous material.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible substrate is a synthetic fibrous material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles are metal nanorods.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles are gold nanorods.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles are metal nanobipyramids.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles are gold nanobipyramids.
9. 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 flexible substrate; and
a plurality of surface enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are metal nanorods, adhered to a surface of the flexible substrate,
wherein each nanoparticle comprises:
a core, wherein the core is a multi-particle nanostructure; and
a polymer adhered to the core, said polymer having at least one pore formed by a target protein such that the pore has a shape substantially complementary to the target protein; and
performing Raman spectroscopy on the surface enhanced Raman scattering sample collection and testing apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9 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.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are adhered to the surface of the flexible substrate by:
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.
12. A nanoparticle comprising:
a core, wherein the core is a multi-particle nanostructure; and
a polymer adhered to the core, said polymer having at least one pore formed by a target protein such that the pore has a shape substantially complementary to the target protein.
13. The nanoparticle of claim 12 wherein the core is a metal nanoparticle.
14. The nanoparticle of claim 13 wherein the core is a gold nanoparticle.
15. The nanoparticle of claim 12 wherein the target protein is aquaporin-1.
16. The nanoparticle of claim 12 wherein the target protein is adipophilin.