Research Projects

A new handheld, field-deployable SERS based diagnostic tool having capabilities of rapid on-chip specimen separation and detection of Dengue virus and pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli for point-of-care diagnostics will be developed. The current available methods for identification of bacteria/virus such as biochemical test, PCR are time consuming and laborious. The novel Ag nanorod based surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates fabricated by e-beam glancing angle deposition (GLAD) system will provide rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and dengue virus. The hypothesis is that SERS spectrum provides a unique 'molecular fingerprint' of individual virus/bacteria based on their specific molecules that are in contact with metal nanoparticles without any species-specific reagents typically required for virus/bacteria signal amplification.