This study focuses on the application of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) to explore modifications to DNA when bound to carboplatin.  SERS enhances Normal Raman (NR) by adsorbing the sample on metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold. NR is based on inelastic scattering of light. Inelastic scattering occurs when the energy absorbed by the sample is less/greater than the energy absorbed by the sample.  A variety of DNA oligonucleotides were combined with carboplatin and were analyzed using SERS technique. The SERS spectra of carboplatin and DNA combination were compared to the baseline spectrums.  SERS samples were prepared by adjusting pH, concentration, salt, and temperature. A comparison between the baseline and combined carboplatin and DNA showed distinct changes in spectrum which is indicative of structural changes to DNA. It can be concluded that the effects of carboplatin is heavily dependent on the specific percentage of pyrimidines and purines in the oligonucleotide sequence. Future computational analysis will be applied to such data to understand the precise molecular distortions.<br/>

Probing DNA interactions with carboplatin utilizing surface-enhanced Raman scattering

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.