Pattern recognition analysis of proteins using DNA-decorated catalytic gold nanoparticles.

A label-free protein analysis strategy is based on patterns of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) growth. AuNPs pretreated with different oligonucleotides are challenged with various proteins. After Au reduction, the colorimetric patterns are processed with linear discriminant analysis. This method discriminates different proteins, or one protein of different concentrations, in mixed samples or even serum and urine.