Statistically significant Raman detection of midsequence single nucleotide polymorphisms.

This report highlights methodologies that enable statistically significant data to be collected for single nucleotide polymorphisms using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Single-stranded oligonucleotides functionalized with 40 nm gold nanoparticles are hybridized with oligonucleotides adsorbed to a photolithographically defined gold surface thus creating a surface enhanced Raman environment around the DNA duplex. With this design characteristic Raman spectra have been collected and explored for differences between DNA duplexes formed from complementary oligonucleotides, completely mismatched oligonucleotides, and those formed from oligonucleotides that have a midsequence single nucleotide mismatch. The results show that statistically significant differences in Raman intensity for characteristic peaks can be collected for the three cases.