Remy Cromer

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Tags for Rapid and Homogeneous Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in the Presence of Human Whole Blood

A novel, homogeneous SERS-based cell detection assay was developed for rapid and direct enumeration of circulating tumor cells in the presence of whole blood. Magnetic beads and SERS tags were respectively conjugated to EpCAM and her2 antibodies for the capture and detection of approximately 50 tumor cells/mL in the presence of whole blood in less than 1 h.

SERS nanoparticles: a new optical detection modality for cancer diagnosis

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an optical detection technique that offers advantages over traditional assay detection technologies, such as fluorescence and chemiluminescence. These advantages include sensitivity, high levels of multiplexing, robustness and ability to perform detection in blood and other biological matrices. Here, we report on the growing field of SERS-active nanoparticles as a novel method for detection, with special emphasis on their use in the field of oncology. We discuss examples of SERS-active nanoparticles used in an assay for PSA, BRCA1 and Her-2, along with examples of nucleic-acid detection. We present data on a novel homogeneous, single-tube, rapid assay for nucleic acid detection and show how it will benefit the oncology community.

Portable SERS Sensor for Sensitive Detection of Food-Borne Pathogens

A prototype portable Raman spectrometer has been developed for detection of microbial DNA. The pathogen genomic DNA was captured by probe conjugated magnetic bead and detected by probe conjugated SERS tag under Raman spectrometer.

Nanobarcodes™ Identification Tags in Proteomics and Small Molecule Profiling

We describe novel applications of Nanobarcodes™ Identification Tags (NBCs), nanometer-scale metallic bar codes in proteomics and small molecule profiling. Synthesis, detection and surface derivatization of these nanoparticles are presented. Solid-phase nanoextraction (SPNE) of analytes from biological samples and its unique application in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry are detailed.