Plasmonic analytical tools for sensing and targeting biomolecules

CORONADO EDUARDO; MERCADAL PABLO; FRAIRE, JUAN C.

Puebla, Pue., Mexico

Workshop; 6th Mexican Workshop on Nanostructured Materials; 2016

Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) Instituto de Física "Ing. Luis Rivera Terrazas" (IFUAP)

The combination of the extraordinary optical properties of noble metal nanoparticles(NPs) (specially Ag and Au) with the capabilities of target recognition given bybiomolecules has given rise in recent years to the interdisciplinary field calledBionanoplasmonics. In this presentation, I will give our recent research performed in ourgroup concerning this issue. In particular I will discuss the design of plasmonic probes forlocalizing and quantifying receptors in neural cells, using a convenient functionalization ofAu NPs and the development of a novel analytical tool for antigen quantification in realsamples using conventional UV-Vis spectroscopy based on the change of the opticalproperties of biofunctionalized colloidal Au NPs in the presence of specific antigens. Thislast technique for antigen quantification will be demonstrated to be over 100 times moresensitive and 5 times less expensive than the conventional ELISA (Enzime LinkedImmunosorbent Assay) methodology used for this purpose in clinical biochemicallaboratories, without the need of any additional expensive equipment.