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Surface enhanced resonance Raman (SERS) is a powerful optical technique, which can help enhance the sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy aided by noble metal nanoparticles (NPs). However, current SERS‐NPs are often suboptimal, which can aggregate under physiological conditions with much reduced SERS enhancement. Herein, a robust one‐pot method has been developed to synthesize SERS‐NPs with more uniform core diameters of 50 nm, which is applicable to both non‐resonant and resonant Raman dyes. The resulting SERS‐NPs are colloidally stable and bright, enabling NP detection with low‐femtomolar sensitivity. An algorithm has been established, which can accurately unmix multiple types of SERS‐NPs enabling potential multiplex detection. Furthermore, a new liposome‐based approach has been developed to install a targeting carbohydrate ligand, i.e., hyaluronan, onto the SERS‐NPs bestowing significantly enhanced binding affinity to its biological receptor CD44 overexpressed on tumor cell surface. The liposomal hyaluronan (HA)‐SERS‐NPs enabled visualization of spontaneously developed breast cancer in mice in real time guiding complete surgical removal of the tumor, highlighting the translational potential of these new glyco‐SERS‐NPs.
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This content will become publicly available on February 13, 2026
Nanomaterials for managing abiotic and biotic stress in the soil–plant system for sustainable agriculture
An optimum application of NPs can mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses, but overuse can cause phytotoxicity. Research on the use of NPs for plant stress is demonstrating promising benefits.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2330043
- PAR ID:
- 10578841
- Publisher / Repository:
- RSC
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Environmental Science: Nano
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2051-8153
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1037 to 1058
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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