Conventional Raman, SERS and TERS Studies of DNA Compounds

Abstract

DNA identification is possible by detecting its components through vibrational spectroscopy. Conventional Raman, Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) have shown a high capacity for the exploration of different molecules and materials (semi-conducting material, carbon nanotubes and biologicals molecules as DNA, proteins). Their applications extended to biological systems and brought significant information to this field. This review summarizes a high number of studies and research conducted with conventional Raman, SERS and TERS on every DNA component starting from the four different nucleic acids in their different forms (nucleosides, deoxyribonucleosides, deoxyribonucleotides) to their biological interaction to form one and double DNA strands. As SERS has an advantage on conventional Raman by exploiting the optical properties of metallic nanostructures to detect very small quantities of molecules, it also clarifies the DNA structure’s orientation in addition to its composition. It also clarifies the influence of different parameters, such as the presence of a spacer or a mutation in the strand on the hybridization process. TERS was shown as a relevant tool to scan DNA chemically and to provide information on its sequence.