Surface Enhanced Raman Immunoassay (SERIA): Detection of Bacillus globigii in Ground Water

摘要

This work presents the development of new methodologies centering on surfaces with immunologically induced affinities for biomaterials in aqueous systems. The irnmunologically active surfaces concentrate the biomaterials at the interface and therefore eliminate the need for preconcentration steps. This results in a highly sensitive and rapid immunoassay technique. The very strong localized of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that occurs at noble metal surfaces is combined with the unparalleled selectivity of immunoassays. Localization of the SERS signal eliminates the problem of washings and allows assays to be performed without treatment steps associated with removing excess agents. Previous work with small illicit drug molecules and large microorganisms clearly demonstrates trace detection of species in aqueous environments is possible. This paper discusses further work to detect Bacillus globigii by coupling surface enhanced Raman scattering with immunoassays (SERIA) using citrate reduced silver nanoparticles. The spores of B. globigii are used to simulate the behavior of another bacterium that forms spores - the potential biological warfare agent, Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax.