Real-time biosensing of pathogenic bacteria with SERS-functionalized nucleic acid sensors: Promising new tools for ultrasensitive and multiplexed analysis

Abstract

Rapid prevention and control of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria is one of the current food safety regulatory concerns encountered via different countries and has garnered considerable attention from all sectors of society. The progress of reliable and rapid sensing techniques for pathogenic bacteria remains a hot research area for public health due to the limitations of time-consuming, complex steps, poor selectivity, or low sensitivity of normally used approaches. Owing to its high selectivity, sensitivity, rapid response, and nondestructive capabilities, functional RNA/DNA-based SERS has emerged as a powerful substrate for the detection and differentiation of various pathogenic bacteria. This review aims to explain the operational principles of numerous functional nucleic acids in SERS detection, comprising CRISPR, G-quadruplexes, DNAzymes, aptamers, origami, together with the construction procedures and practical applications of functional RNA/DNA-based SERS sensing. Primarily, a summary is provided that outlines the structural features and SERS detecting mechanisms characteristic to various functional DNA and RNA. Following this, several innovative approaches for fabricating functional nucleic acid-derived SERS sensors are detailed for bacterial detection, with the aim of enhancing current detection capabilities. Ultimately, conclusive remarks are presented, together with a survey of the current challenges and potential avenues for future research in this established field.