SERS detection of
bacteria using gold nanoparticles of different shapes
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a rapidly growing technique
that is recently being used as a quantitative analytical detection
method. In this project, we propose to use SERS as a novel detection
method for detecting ultra-low levels of bacteria and viruses using a
solution-based sandwich immunoassay method. This would be a rapid and
inexpensive method for detection of these biological species. We will
determine the limits of detection that can be achieved and also
investigate ways that we can further lower the limit of detection such
as modifying the shape of the gold nanoparticles. In this project,
students will gain experience in many techniques such as nanoparticle
synthesis and characterization, UV-Visible spectroscopy, TEM, and Raman
spectroscopy. The skills that students will gain will be very useful in
different types of science jobs in industry, government, and academia.
