Abstract: A method for detecting target nucleic acids such as SNPs is provided. The method comprises performing a ligase detection reaction (LDR), performing surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on the LDR, and analyzing the outcome of the LDR using analysis and/or quantification of the SERS by detecting an emitted Raman signature. The LDR-SERS method can be used for sensitive and specific detection of any nucleic acid sequence of interest. A microfluidic SERS detection device is also provided. The device comprises electrokinetically active microwells for mixing and concentrating analytes and in which analytes can be quantified. The device can be used for performing the LDR-SERS method in optofluidic chip format.

Abstract: Textile fibers and other fibrous substrates functionalized with particles are provided for use in the detection of targets of interest by spectroscopic methods. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided that comprises a conformal coating on its surface, wherein the coating comprises a plurality of chemically functional particles that are spectroscopically enhancing. Methods for producing such functionalized textile fibers are also provided. These textiles can be used as platforms for spectroscopic detection, including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA), and surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF). Functionalized textile fibers for use in the signature detection methods are produced by performing layer-by-layer self-assembly of particles on natural and synthetic textile substrates.

Abstract: A method for detecting target nucleic acids such as SNPs is provided. The method comprises performing a ligase detection reaction (LDR), performing surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on the LDR, and analyzing the outcome of the LDR using analysis and/or quantification of the SERS by detecting an emitted Raman signature. The LDR-SERS method can be used for sensitive and specific detection of any nucleic acid sequence of interest. A microfluidic SERS detection device is also provided. The device comprises electrokinetically active microwells for mixing and concentrating analytes and in which analytes can be quantified. The device can be used for performing the LDR-SERS method in optofluidic chip format.

Abstract: A portable, fully-automated, microchip including a DNA purification region fluidly integrated with a PCR-based detection region is used to detect specific DNA sequences for the rapid detection of bacterial pathogens. Using an automated detection system with integrated microprocessor, pumps, valves, thermocycler and fluorescence detection modules, the microchip is able to purify and detect bacterial DNA by real-time PCR amplification using fluorescent dye. The fully automated detection system is completely portable, making the system ideal for the detection of bacterial pathogens in the field or other point-of-care environments.

Abstract: An optical biological detector is able to bind specific targeted bacterial cells by stamping an antibody grating pattern onto a silicon surface. The antibody grating alone produces insignificant optical diffraction, but upon immunocapture of the targeted cells, the optical phase change produces a diffraction pattern. Micro-contact printing provides a method for placing the antibody grating pattern directly onto a substrate surface with no additional processes or binding chemicals. Antibodies or other biologically active material may be stamped directly onto clean native oxide silicon substrates with no other chemical surface treatments. Direct binding of the antibodies to the silicon occurs in a way that still allows them to function and selectively bind antigen. The performance of the sensor was evaluated by capturing Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells on the antibody-stamped lines and measuring the intensity of the first order diffraction beam resulting from the attachment of cells.

Abstract: Mouse monoclonal antibodies which will specifically recognize the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes were produced by fusion of spleen cells from an animal immunized with live L. monocytogenes to an NS-1 myeloma partner, and three hybridomas were identified upon subsequent subcloning, Mab 20-10-2, Mab 36-6-12 and Mab 56-9-16 which were preferentially reactive with L. monocytogenes in a direct binding ELISA assay. An indirect "sandwich" assay was developed and used to further confirm the reactivity of these hybridomas using four serotypes of L. monocytogenes and other common cross reacting bacteria.