Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with Raman-active dyes followed by a polymer coating has been extensively used for biomedical applications including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-assisted disease detections. However, they encounter several limitations like irreversible aggregation, decreased colloidal stability over time, and low SERS signal stability. In this work, we have developed a simple yet robust method to coat anisotropic and size-tuned AuNPs with a red blood cell membrane (RBCM) resulting in enhanced dispersion stability against lyophilization, freeze-thaw, heating, and physiological conditions. Furthermore, the RBCM coated AuNP (AuNP-RBCM) has been modified through lipid-insertion with tumor-targeting peptides (cyclic-RGD) targeting the αvβ3 integrins expressed on cancer cells for <i>in vitro</i> SERS detection. Therefore, the goal of this study is to develop AuNP-RBCM, an alternative to PEG-coated AuNPs, having increased dispersibility, SERS signal intensity, and biofunctionalization capabilities. We have further shown that these biomimetic SERS nanoparticles could be used as biosensors for early-state disease detections including hypofibrinogenemia, sepsis, and cardiovascular-related events.

Biomimetic SERS nanoparticles coated with red blood cell membranes with improved dispersibility for early disease detections

ACS Spring 2022

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