Imaging Seminar Series Event

Understanding the biochemical complexity that regulates living systems requires technology with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. The enhancement of Raman signals by plasmonic nanostructures provides a sensitive label-free method of biochemical analysis, which we use for nanoscale chemical imaging and trace analyte detection. By investigating the fundamental interactions that give rise to the observed signals, we have developed instrumentation and methodology to explore complex biological systems. This talk will explore the interactions between molecules and plasmonic structures in planar arrays that enable high sensitivity Raman measurements in flow. We have successfully utilized surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for online detection with capillary electrophoresis and flow injection analysis to identify amino acids, peptides, and other metabolites. This detection platform provides orthogonal characterization to existing technologies, which may facilitate systems biology studies. Imaging results we have obtained demonstrate how controlled plasmonic interactions enable highly selective investigations of protein receptors in cellular membranes. This tip enhanced Raman (TERS) experiment obtains chemical, structural, and spatial information simultaneously. Using our approach, we are able to identify a specific receptor within a cellular membrane. This TERS approach may enable new chemical investigations of membrane proteins. Our results provide insight into the origins and utility of enhanced Raman signals for a wide range of biological applications.

Those interested in meeting Dr Schultz before or after the seminar are advised to contact Dr Sumeet Mahajan.