Micro-RNAs (miRNA) are short, non-coding oligonucleotides that are potential biomarkers for various diseases. Their low abundance and short length present challenges for quantitative and facile detection. Herein we explore the hybridized local surface plasmon resonance of closely-linked nanoparticle dimers for the detection of miRNA-210 � an indicator of hypoxia-related diseases such as preeclampsia. Detection is based on the actuation of discrete gold nanoparticle dimers as monitored by single-nanostructure darkfield scattering spectroscopy. The analytical signal is an unconventional spectral blue shift in the hybridized plasmon mode when the micro-RNA geometrically extends the dimer upon binding. We investigate the detection of both synthetic RNA and cellular RNA extracts from trophoblast cells incubated under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and compare results from this sensing platform to the conventional qRT-PCR. The ability to directly measure miRNA levels without amplification may be valuable for biomarker validation.

Plasmonic nanoparticle dimers for micro-RNA detection

248th National Meeting (2014)

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