Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Cytometry

Highly multiparameter measurements are playing increasingly important roles in understanding complex cell systems. For fluorescence measurements using image and flow cytometry, the number of different probes that can be measured simultaneously is limited by the spectral width of the fluorophore emission spectra. Raman scattering spectra have much narrower spectral features, presenting the possibility of measuring many more probes within a given region of spectral space.

To realize this potential, we have developed a Raman Flow Cytometer capable of measuring Raman scattering from single particles at high speeds. Nanoparticles exhibiting surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can serve as labels for antibodies or other binding probes, and offer the potential for higher levels of multiparameter and multiplexed measurements of cells and other particles than are possible with fluorescence alone.

Selected References:

Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Cytometry. Nolan, J.P., DS Sebba (2011). Methods in Cell Biology 102: 515-532.

High Throughput Single Nanoparticle Spectroscopy. Sebba, D.S., D.A. Watson, J.P. Nolan (2009). ACS Nano 3:1477-1484.

Spectral Measurements of Large Particles by Flow Cytometry. Watson, D.A., D.F. Gaskill, L.O. Brown, S.K. Doorn, J.P. Nolan (2009). Cytometry 75:460-4.

A flow cytometer for the measurement of Raman spectra. Watson, D.A., D.F. Gaskill, L.O. Brown, M.A. Naivar, S.W. Graves, S.K. Doorn, and J.P. Nolan (2008). Cytometry 73A:119-128.