Inkjet-printed paper surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors: Portable, low cost diagnostics for microRNA

The trend toward precision medicine and point-of-care diagnostics necessitates advances in technologies to improve the time, cost, and technical expertise required for sensitive lab based assays. Current designs for portable diagnostic devices primarily utilize lateral flow immunoassays that have limited sensitivity and multiplexibility. To improve upon current lateral flow diagnostics, we have designed a sensor capable of providing rapid and portable identification of multiple genomic targets, specifically microRNAs. MicroRNA (miRNA) provide a promising set of biomarkers to replace proteins and antibodies for a range of disease conditions from cancer to HIV. For this work, we have advanced previous efforts with a single step displacement assay to allow direct integration with paper based Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) devices. Results show successful application of a single step displacement assay on printable nanoparticle substrates that will allow for simple fabrication of sensors for multiple miRNA sequences. Further, we show the potential for simultaneous detection of the multiplexed output from the displacement assay using inkjet-printed paper SERS devices.