SERS-based genetic assay for amplification-free detection of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mimic DNA

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We report the development of amplification-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based DNA assays for the rapid and highly sensitive detection of prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) mimic DNA. This technique does not require any DNA amplification process using thermo-cycles in conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) due to its highly sensitive detection capability. Herein, the PCA3 mimic DNA, composed of 45 nucleotide sequences, was sandwiched between two probe DNA-immobilized particles (ASO<SUB>735</SUB>-conjugated detection HGNs and ASO<SUB>683</SUB>-immobilized capture magnetic beads) by hybridization reactions. Its quantitative analysis was performed by monitoring the characteristic Raman peak intensity of sandwich DNA complexes. The limit of detection (LOD) is estimated to be 2.7fM, which is about four orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of conventional PCR. This SERS-based DNA assay technique is expected to be a potentially useful tool for early disease diagnosis.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> We developed a SERS-based biosensor for the highly sensitive detection of PCA3 mimic DNA. </LI> <LI> DNA amplification process is not required for this SERS-based assay platform. </LI> <LI> This method has strong potential to be a tool for early genetic disease diagnosis. </LI> </UL> </P>