Biological agent identification by nucleic acid base-pair analysis using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1999

Abstract

Recently, a number of analytical methods have been successfully developed which use nucleic acid sequencing to identify biological warfare agents. However, the effectiveness of these methods, towards the safety and protection of US Armed Forces and their allies are limited by the period (6 to 24 hours) required to enumerate the nucleic acid through polymerase chain reactions or culture growth to produce sufficient quantities for analysis. To overcome this limitation, we have been investigating the ability of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect nucleic acids with sufficient sensitivity and selectivity to eliminate the need for enumeration. The design of a small volume electrolytic sample cell will be presented along with analysis of the nucleic acid bases and preliminary analysis of model bacteria.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Volume

3533

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