Tip-enhanced Raman scattering--Targeting structure-specific surface characterization for biomedical samples

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2015 Jul 15:89:42-56. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.06.007. Epub 2015 Jun 27.

Abstract

Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has become a powerful tool for nanoscale structural analysis for several branches of organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry. This highly sensitive technique enables molecular characterization with a lateral resolution far beyond Abbe's diffraction limit and correlates structural and topographic information on a nanometer scale. In this review, the current experimental concepts with respect to their strengths and obstacles are introduced and discussed. A further focus was set to biochemistry comprising applications like nucleic acids, proteins, and microorganisms, thus demonstrating the potential use towards the pharmaceutically relevant challenges where nanometer resolution is required.

Keywords: High resolution; Lipids; Nucleic acids; Optical microscopy; Proteins; TERS applications; Tip-enhanced Raman.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Nanostructures*
  • Nucleic Acids / analysis
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods*

Substances

  • Nucleic Acids
  • Proteins