| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to functionalised metal surfaces, such as nanoparticles for use in methods of detecting analytes, as well as detecting analytes in a sample, using the functionalised sufaces/nanoparticles. In particular the invention relates to a method of detecting a target analyte in a sample using Raman spectroscopy, the method comprising: mixing an analyte binding agent functionalised metal surface with a sample, in order to allow any analyte which may be present in the sample to specifically bind to the binding agent, such that upon binding the analyte is positioned so as to be within 0 nm - 10 nm of the surface, such that an enhancement in Raman scattering of the analyte can be obtained; and directly detecting any bound analyte by way of Raman spectroscopy. The invention further relates to a SERS enhancing metal surface (such as the surface of a nanoparticle),functionalised with at least one analyte specific binding agent, wherein the analyte binding agent is bound to the surface, such as the surface of the nanoparticle such than when said analyte binds the analyte binding agent, the analyte is orientated to be in close proximity to the surface, such as the surface of the nanoparticle, wherein the binding agent is an antibody or antibody fragment and wherein at least one free side chain amine group on the antibody or antibody fragment is modified to comprise one or more reactive group(s), such as an isothiocyanate group(s), for reaction with the surface, such as the surface of the nanoparticle. |
