Surface-enhanced Raman gene probes.

We report for the first time a new type of DNA gene probe based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) label detection. The surface-enhanced Raman gene (SERG) probes do not require the use of radioactive labels and have great potential to provide both sensitivity and selectivity. The SERG probe can be used to detect DNA biotargets (e.g., gene sequences, bacteria, viral DNA fragments) via hybridization to DNA sequences complementary to that probe. The analytical figures of merit and its applications in environmental and biomedical areas are discussed.