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SFI UREKA Site in Molecular Recognition
Translating Design into Application

Biophysical Characterisation

Project 7: Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for molecular recognition in complex biogenic mixtures

Supervisor: Dr. Alan G. Ryder, School of Chemistry

Project Summary:
The rapid, non-contact, non-destructive, and inexpensive quantitative analysis of complex aqueous based biogenic mixtures (CABMs) and systems is a fundamental challenge in Analytical Chemistry. CABMs are endemic in industry and healthcare and comprise sample types that vary from cell culture media (CCM) and fermentation broths, to urine and blood plasma, and even waste water streams from industrial processes. They can be generically characterised as consisting of low concentration (0.5 to 5%) of dissolved solids in water, where the number of chemical species varies from 5-10, to many hundreds. In many cases one seeks to classify these mixtures according to type (i.e. identifying raw materials or blended formulations for Quality Control (QC)), or quantify the levels of specific components of a mixture (i.e. a specific amino acid in a cell culture feed medium). We have previously developed rapid analytical methods for the analysis of complex CCM based on Conventional Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) and Fluorescence spectroscopies . ^{^[i]} ^, ^{^[ii]} ^{,
^[iii]} CRS is a rapid, non-contact, non-destructive, and portable measurement technique that probes the vibrational structure of molecules. Raman spectra are unique and provide a convenient fingerprint for the unambiguous identification of materials. ^{^[iv]} ^{,
^[v]} Coupling CRS with multivariate analysis (chemometrics) enables the quantitative and qualitative analysis of a wide variety of complex solid or aqueous mixtures ^{^[i]} , ^[vii] CRS has major disadvantages in terms of analysis of analytes in low concentrations and where the CABM is fluorescent. [i] ^[vii] These can be overcome by using SERS. In SERS one generates enhancement and fluorescence reduction by adsorbing analytes of interest onto nano-structured noble metals like silver and gold. ⁹ The enhancement factor can be enormous (up to 10 ¹⁴), enabling the detection of analytes in the ppm/ppb range. ^{^[viii]} In this project the student will explore a variety of different approaches to implementing SERS for complex biogenic mixtures. It is hoped that the data thus generated will assist in the development of robust methods of analysis for the biopharmaceutical sector.

During the project the student will gain significant experience in the use of Raman spectrometers, nanoparticle synthesis, and the interpretation of complex spectral data.

References:

[i] A.G. Ryder, et al. J. Raman Spectrosc., 41(10), 1266, 2010; B. Li, P.W. Ryan, B. Ray, K.J. Leister, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, A.G. Ryder. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 107(2), 290, 2010.

[ii] P.W. Ryan, B. Li, M. Shanahan, K.J. Leister, A.G. Ryder. Anal. Chem., 82(4), 1311, 2010;

[iii] See www.nuigalway.ie/nanoscale for more details.

[iv] I.R. Lewis & H.G.M. Edwards, Handbook of Raman Spectroscopy: From the Research Laboratory to the Process Line. 2001, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

[v] (a) A.G. Ryder, et al., J. Forensic Sci., 44(5), 1013, 1999; (b) A.G. Ryder, et al., J. Raman Spectrosc., 31(3), 221, 2000; (c) A.G. Ryder, J. Forensic Sci., 47(2), 275, 2002; (d) P. McArdle, K. Gilligan, D. Cunningham, A. Ryder, Appl. Spectrosc., 59(11), 1365, 2005; (e) M.N. Leger, A.G. Ryder, Appl. Spectrosc. 60(2), 182, 2006; (f) Y. Hu, A. Erxleben, A.G. Ryder, P. McArdle, J. Pharmaceut. Biomed. 53(3), 412, 2010; (g)M.-L. O’Connell, A.G. Ryder, et al., Appl. Spectrosc. 64(10), 1109, 2010.

[vi] (a) M. Shimoyama, et al., Vib. Spectrosc., 14, 253, 1997; (b) J.B. Cooper, et al., Appl. Spectrosc., 51, 1613, 1997; (c) D.D. Archibald, et al., Appl. Spectrosc., 52, 22, 1998; (d) M. Sohn, et al., Cereal Chem., 82, 660, 2005; (e) K.P.J. Williams, N.J. Everall, J. Raman Spectrosc., 26, 427, 1995; (f) N.J. Everall, et al., J. Raman Spectrosc., 25, 43, 1994.

[vii] M.N. Pons, et al., J. Biotechnol., 113(1-3), 211, 2004.

[viii] (a) C.L. Haynes, et al., Anal. Chem., 77(17), 338A, 2005; (b). D. A. Stuart, et al., Anal. Chem. 77(13), 4013, 2005; (c) S.E.J. Bell, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 15580, 2006.

SFI UREKA Site in Molecular Recognition Translating Design into Application
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Phone: +353 (0) 91 495914
This page was last updated Tuesday, January 18, 2011