Objective Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for probing biochemical changes in situ at tissue level. The vibrational profile can provide invaluable molecular details for medical diagnosis and disease prognosis. Important technological as well as health and safety considerations, however, limits its clinical application, as spontaneous Raman is a relatively weak effect and high laser powers are required for rapid screening. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) makes is possible to probe single molecules adsorbed onto a silver or gold nanoparticle, greatly enhancing the sensitivity of spontaneous Raman and therefore potentially significantly reducing screening times. However, the SERS sensitivity from spherical gold nanoparticles is still insufficient to detect trace biomolecules and/or the interaction between biomolecules, which may be overcome through using novel shape nanomaterials as SERS substrates for the improvement of the bio-detection limit. Recently, Pegylated gold nanoprisms (AuNPrs) have been successfully employed as signal amplifiers in multimodal in vivo imaging of cancer cells, and therefore pose a great potential for Raman spectroscopy as well. Excellent biocompatibility properties are known for Pegylated AuNPrs, with side lengths of 120nm and thicknesses of 10nm. They absorb strongly at a wavelength of 830 nm, with co-efficients of up to 37 µg.mL-1•OD-1, a wavelength within the tissue transparency window, promising deep penetration in vivo This project will explore the optimisation of Pegylated AuNPrs for surface enhancement of the Raman signal (SERS)of their local cellular environment for probing disease in vitro and ulimately in vivo. Lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in the EU and is therefore chosen as a model for the development of a Raman based rapid screening technique for early detection of disease. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologylung cancernatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator INSTITIUID TEICNEOLAIOCHTA BHAILE ATHA CLIATH EU contribution € 254 637,80 Address GRANGEGORMAN LOWER D07 H6K8 DUBLIN Ireland See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Brian O' Neill (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
