Microwave-assisted synthesis of surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoprobes for cellular sensing

The fabrication of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) antibody-functionalized gold nanoparticles via microwave technology for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based cellular nanosensing is reported. Nanoprobes were characterized by UV–vis absorbance, Raman scattering properties, and observed by TEM imaging. Results showed that microwave irradiation rapidly yielded nanoprobes with significant Raman scattering intensity and suitable stability to support antibody conjugation in under 10 min. Functionalized nanoprobes demonstrated the ability to map the expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in human coronary artery endothelial (HCAE) cells, indicating that microwave fabrication presents a viable and rapid approach to SERS nanoprobe construction. The successful application of SERS nanoprobes to localize biomarker expression in vitro may ultimately be used for early diagnostic and preventative functions in medicine.