Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 February 2011
Motivated by the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) sensitivity to very small amounts of material we are interested in the application of the SERS technique for studying complex biological systems, such as cells.
Using nanometer-sized Ag particles deposited on GaAs surfaces as SERS-active substrate we have observed an enhancement of Raman signal from human spermatozoa. We have obtained structural information on extremely small amounts of biomaterials and at the same time evidence that the bio-systems are preserved on the surface.
In our opinion, this kind of SERS-active substrates with nanometer-sized Ag particles on semiconductors might have promising application in nanoscale science and technology. In fact bio-molecules, cells and processes of their interfacing with Si, GaAs, silver and gold and other inorganic substrates, form the basis of bio-electronics a new emerging field at the crossing of molecular biology and nano-electronics with numerous electronic and biotechnological applications.