Enhanced on-chip SERS Based Biomolecular Detection Using Electrokinetically Active Microwells
- Detailed Technology Description
- A new technique is presented for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection with higher sensitivity that enables more SNPs to be screened at once.
- Others
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- Patent Application: PCT/US09/060675;
- Yun Suk Huh, Adam J. Lowe, Aaron D. Strickland, Carl A. Batt, David Erickson, "Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Based Ligase Detection Reaction," J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131 (6), pp 2208–2213
- *Abstract
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Researchers at Cornell University present a new technique for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection with higher sensitivity that enables more SNPs to be screened at once. SNP can provide insight into a large number of phenotypes and diseases including cancer, hence the ability to rapidly screen for SNPs is an invaluable tool in medicine. In this new technique, Professor David Erickson and his colleagues combined the selectivity and ease of use of the Ligase Detection Reaction with the potential for large bandwidth and sensitivity of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The technique utilizes silver nanoparticles as SERS enhancers and reporter dyes for their easily distinguishable Raman signatures. In order to enhance the SERS signal detection, a microfluidic device with electrokinetically active microwells was used to concentrate the emitters into a smaller volume as well as to enhance mixing. The device rapidly concentrates and mixes reaction products by applying electric potential between upper and lower electrodes; this step significantly increases the intensity of the SERS signal for speedier detection. A purification process is also applied to obtain higher detection sensitivity.
Previously, a maximum of 5 SNPs could be screened at once due to spectral overlap that occurs beyond this quantity. Experiments using the novel technique allowed for 12 or more SNPs to be detected simultaneously, and have a detection limit of 20 pico-mole of reaction products.
Potential Applications:
- SNP diagnostics
- Cancer research
- Pharmacogenomics
Advantages:
- Overcomes the previous limit of 5 simultaneous SNP detections
- Increased detection sensitivity
- Requires lower sample concentration
- *Licensing
- Martin Teschlmt439@cornell.edu(607) 254-4454
- Country/Region
- USA
