Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect, identify and/or quantify a variety of substances to be analyzed through the use of SERS.SOLUTION: The method and the apparatus relate to SERS using a metal coated nanocrystalline porous silicon substrate 210. A porous silicon substrate 210 can be formed by anodic etching in a dilute hydrofluoric acid. The porous silicon can be coated with a Raman active metal, for instance, a thin film made of gold or silver by cathodic electromigration or any known method. The metal coated substrate provides a wide range of metal rich environments for performing SERS, SERBS, hyper RAMAN spectroscopy and/or CARS. In another specific means, a Raman signal can be further enhanced by adding metal nanoparticles to the metal coated substrate.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect, identify and/or quantify a variety of substances to be analyzed through the use of SERS.SOLUTION: The method and the apparatus relate to SERS using a metal coated nanocrystalline porous silicon substrate 210. A porous silicon substrate 210 can be formed by anodic etching in a dilute hydrofluoric acid. The porous silicon can be coated with a Raman active metal, for instance, a thin film made of gold or silver by cathodic electromigration or any known method. The metal coated substrate provides a wide range of metal rich environments for performing SERS, SERBS, hyper RAMAN spectroscopy and/or CARS. In another specific means, a Raman signal can be further enhanced by adding metal nanoparticles to the metal coated substrate.
Abstract:
A method for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid is provided that includes contacting the nucleic acid with a series of labeled oligonucleotides for binding to the nucleic acid, wherein each labeled oligonucleotide includes a known nucleotide sequence and a molecular nanocode. The nanocode of an isolated labeled oligonucleotides that binds to the nucleic acid is then detected using SPM. Nanocodes of the present invention in certain aspects include detectable features beyond the arrangement of tags that encode information about the barcoded object, which assist in detecting the tags that encode information about the barcoded object. The detectable features include structures of a nanocode or associated with a nanocode, referred to herein as detectable feature tags, for error checking/error-correction, encryption, and data reduction/compression.
Abstract:
The device and method disclosed herein concern detecting, identifying, and or quantifying analytes, such as nucleic acids, with high resolution and fast response times using surface enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. In certain embodiments of the invention, a small number molecular sample of the analyte (210) such as a nucleotide, passes through a microfluidic channel, microchannel, or nanochannel (185) and sample cell (175) that contains Raman-active surfaces, and is detected by surface enhanced, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (SECARS). Other embodiments of the invention concern an apparatus for analyte detection.
Abstract:
The device and method disclosed herein concern detecting, identifying, and or quantifying analytes, such as nucleic acids, with high resolution and fast response times using surface enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy. In certain embodiments of the invention, a small number molecular sample of the analyte 210 such as a nucleotide, passes through a microfluidic channel, microchannel, or nanochannel 185 and sample cell 175 that contains Raman-active surfaces, and is detected by surface enhanced, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (SECARS). Other embodiments of the invention concern an apparatus for analyte detection.
Abstract:
The present disclosure concerns methods for producing and/or using molecular barcodes. In certain embodiments of the invention, the barcodes comprise polymer backbones that may contain one or more branch structures. Tags may be attached to the backbone and/or branch structures. The barcode may also comprise a probe that can bind to a target, such as proteins, nucleic acids and other biomolecules or aggregates. Different barcodes may be distinguished by the type and location of the tags. In other embodiments, barcodes may be produced by hybridization of one or more tagged oligonucleotides to a template, comprising a container section and a probe section. The tagged oligonucleotides may be designed as modular code sections, to form different barcodes specific for different targets. In alternative embodiments, barcodes may be prepared by polymerization of monomeric units. Bound barcodes may be detected by various imaging modalities, such as, surface plasmon resonance, fluorescent or Raman spectroscopy.
Abstract:
The present methods and apparatus concern the detection and/or identification of target analytes using probe molecules. In various embodiments of the invention, the probes or analytes are attached to one or more cantilevers. Binding of a probe to an analyte results in deflection of the cantilever, detected by a detection unit. A counterbalancing force may be applied to restore the cantilever to its original position. The counterbalancing force may be magnetic, electrical or radiative. The detection unit and the mechanism generating the counterbalancing force may be operably coupled to an information processing and control unit, such as a computer. The computer may regulate a feedback loop that maintains the cantilever in a fixed position by balancing the deflecting force and the counterbalancing force. The concentration of analytes in a sample may be determined from the magnitude of the counterbalancing force required to maintain the cantilever in a fixed position.
Abstract:
The methods, systems 400 and apparatus disclosed herein concern metal 150 impregnated porous substrates 110, 210. Certain embodiments of the invention concern methods for producing metal-coated porous silicon substrates 110, 210 that exhibit greatly improved uniformity and depth of penetration of metal 150 deposition. The increased uniformity and depth allow improved and more reproducible Raman detection of analytes. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the methods may comprise oxidation of porous silicon 110, immersion in a metal salt solution 130, drying and thermal decomposition of the metal salt 140 to form a metal deposit 150. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the methods may comprise microfluidic impregnation of porous silicon substrates 210 with one or more metal salt solutions 130. Other embodiments of the invention concern apparatus and/or systems 400 for Raman detection of analytes, comprising metal-coated porous silicon substrates 110, 210 prepared by the disclosed methods.