Distinction of nucleobases – a tip-enhanced Raman approach

• Regina Treffer,
• Xiumei Lin,
• Elena Bailo,
• Tanja Deckert-Gaudig and
• Volker Deckert

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 628–637, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.66

• , Jena University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.2.66 Abstract The development of novel DNA sequencing methods is one of the ongoing challenges in various fields of research seeking to address the demand for sequence information. However, many of these techniques rely on some kind

• of labeling or amplification steps. Here we investigate the intrinsic properties of tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) towards the development of a novel, label-free, direct sequencing method. It is known that TERS allows the acquisition of spectral information with high lateral resolution and

• of sensitivity and reproducibility shows that the crucial demands for a sequencing procedure are met. Keywords: DNA; nanoscale analysis; Raman; sequencing; TERS; Introduction The determination of the exact nucleobase sequence of DNA is of great importance for research in the life sciences. The