Abstract: A method of detecting one or more analytes comprising or consisting of hydrogen peroxide using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The method includes providing a SERS-active substrate having at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound attached thereon; contacting one or more analytes with the SERS-active substrate; and detecting changes in surface enhanced Raman signal from the at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound as an indication of the presence of one or more analytes comprising or consisting of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging contrast agent comprising a biodegradable polymer backbone grafted with a photoacoustic contrast agent is provided. A method of preparing a photoacoustic imaging contrast agent, and a method of imaging living tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more analytes comprising or consisting of hydrogen peroxide using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is provided. The method includes providing a SERS-active substrate having at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound attached thereon; contacting one or more analytes with the SERS-active substrate; and detecting changes in surface enhanced Raman signal from the at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound as an indication of the presence of one or more analytes comprising or consisting of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging contrast agent composition is provided. The composition comprises a metal carbonyl cluster compound having the general formula (I) M3(CO)xL12-x wherein M at each occurrence denotes a metal selected from Group 6 to Group 11 of the Periodic Table of Elements; x is an integer from 10 to 12; and each L is independently selected from the group consisting of —H and -A-(CH2)n—COO?Y+, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of S, O, C and N; n is an integer from 1 to 10; and Y is any cation. Use of the photoacoustic imaging contrast agent composition in photoacoustic imaging is also provided.

Abstract: Method of detecting one or more analytes having a thiol functional group is provided. The method includes contacting one or more analytes with at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound; and detecting changes in optical properties of the at least one metal carbonyl cluster compound as an indication of the presence of the one or more analytes having a thiol functional group.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) marker conjugate is provided. The SERS marker conjugate comprises a metallic nanoparticle and an organometallic material attached to a surface of the metallic nanoparticle. A biosensor comprising a plurality of the SERS marker conjugates and a method of forming the SERS marker conjugate is also provided.