Surface-enhanced raman nanobiosensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to biosensors, in particular to surface-enhanced Raman biosensors for detection of in vivo and ex vivo analytes. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the in vivo detection of analytes such as glucose.

1 . A biosensor, comprising:
 a) a substrate; and   b) a plurality of nanobiosensors adherent to said substrate, comprising: a plurality of nanospheres; a metal film over said nanospheres; and a self-assembled partition layer formed on the surface of said metal film over said nanospheres comprising at least two compounds, wherein said nanobiosensors are configured for the quantitative detection of an analyte such that the spectrum of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering signal detected from said plurality of nanobiosensors in the presence of said analyte is correlated with the concentration of said analyte in a medium.   
     
     
         2 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is copper or silicon dioxide. 
     
     
         3 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is configured to provide a plurality of nanowells containing said nanospheres. 
     
     
         4 . The nanobiosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said nanospheres comprise polystyrene or silica nanospheres. 
     
     
         5 . The nanobiosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said self-assembled partition layer comprises a hydrophilic compound and a hydrophobic compound. 
     
     
         6 . The self-assembled partition layer of  claim 5 , wherein said hydrophilic compound and said hydrophobic compound comprise modified alkanes. 
     
     
         7 . The modified alkanes of  claim 6 , wherein said alkanes comprise a chain length of at least 5 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         8 . The self-assembled partition layer of  claim 5 , wherein said hydrophobic compound comprises decanethiol and said hydrophilic compound comprises mercaptohexanol. 
     
     
         9 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a receptor specific for said analyte, wherein said receptor is configured to bind reversibly to said analyte. 
     
     
         10 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said analyte is glucose. 
     
     
         11 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said analyte is lactic acid or lactate. 
     
     
         22 . The biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein said analyte is a chemical warfare agent. 
     
     
         23 . A biosensor, comprising:
 a) a substrate; and   b) a plurality of nanobiosensors adherent to said substrate, comprising: a plurality of nanospheres; a metal film over said nanospheres; and a self-assembled partition layer formed on the surface of said metal film over said nanospheres comprising at least two compounds, wherein said nanobiosensors are configured for the quantitative detection of lactic acid or lactate such that the spectrum of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering signal detected from said plurality of nanobiosensors in the presence of said lactic acid or lactate is correlated with the concentration of said lactic acid or lactate in a medium.   
     
     
         24 . The biosensor of  claim 23 , wherein said self-assembled partition layer comprises decanethiol and mercaptohexanol. 
     
     
         25 . The biosensor of  claim 23 , wherein said biosensor is configured for use in vivo. 
     
     
         26 - 32 . (canceled)