Ultrasensitive Detection of Neurotransmitters by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Biosensing Applications

POSTER

Abstract

In this study, fabrication of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active platforms enabled detection of serotonin, adenosine, and dopamine at concentrations as low as 10$^{\mathrm{-11}}$ molar. Besides demonstrating the potential value of this high sensitivity Raman recording of these very important analytes in the diagnosis of numerous neurological diseases, we observed variations in the intensities of characteristic Raman signatures that indicate changes in the molecular orientations of the neurotransmitters in the proximity of the silver surface, as well as potential chemical interactions. We also found that the particular Raman cross sections of neurotransmitter molecules and their densities close to the surface of Ag NPs play a significant role in preferential SERS enhancement. This study not only provides direct evidence that, using Raman spectroscopy, label-free detection of trace amounts of neurotransmitters is achievable, but it further advances knowledge of their interactions at the interface with metal nanoparticles.

Authors

  • Katia Ochoa

    University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Biological Sciences

  • Kevin Bennet

    Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Rochester MN 55905 USA, Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Rochester MN 55905 USA

  • Jonathan Tomshine

    Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Rochester MN 55905 USA

  • Seth Hara

    Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Rochester MN 55905 USA

  • Malcolm McIntosh

    Mayo Clinic, Division of Engineering, Rochester MN 55905 USA

  • John Ciubuc

    Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Biomedical Engineering

  • Emma Sundin

    University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • William Durrer

    Department of Physics

  • Michael Eastman

    Department of Chemistry

  • Felicia Manciu

    University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, Border Biomedical Research Center, El Paso TX 79968 USA