High spatial resolution nanoslit SERS for single-molecule nucleobase sensing

Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 30;9(1):1733. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04118-7.

Abstract

Solid-state nanopores promise a scalable platform for single-molecule DNA analysis. Direct, real-time identification of nucleobases in DNA strands is still limited by the sensitivity and the spatial resolution of established ionic sensing strategies. Here, we study a different but promising strategy based on optical spectroscopy. We use an optically engineered elongated nanopore structure, a plasmonic nanoslit, to locally enable single-molecule surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Combining SERS with nanopore fluidics facilitates both the electrokinetic capture of DNA analytes and their local identification through direct Raman spectroscopic fingerprinting of four nucleobases. By studying the stochastic fluctuation process of DNA analytes that are temporarily adsorbed inside the pores, we have observed asynchronous spectroscopic behavior of different nucleobases, both individual and incorporated in DNA strands. These results provide evidences for the single-molecule sensitivity and the sub-nanometer spatial resolution of plasmonic nanoslit SERS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • DNA / analysis*
  • Deoxyadenine Nucleotides / analysis
  • Deoxycytidine Monophosphate / analysis
  • Deoxyguanine Nucleotides / analysis
  • Nanopores / ultrastructure
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / instrumentation
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Deoxyadenine Nucleotides
  • Deoxyguanine Nucleotides
  • Deoxycytidine Monophosphate
  • 2'-deoxy-5'-adenosine monophosphate
  • 2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-phosphate
  • DNA
  • 2'-deoxyadenosine triphosphate