Abstract

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emerging nanoscale tool for small quality sample probing. Its highly localized detection range makes it suits for cell membrane composition research. In this research, we combined SERS with nanopillar array to identify aggressive prostate cancer cell surface markers. Inherent signal fluctuations emanating from cell lines with differential biomarker expression highlight the potential of using such a nanopillar-based platform for probing the chemical and mechanical phenotype and pave the way for evolution of a direct and label free assessment of cancer membrane biomarkers.

© 2016 Optical Society of America