( Invited ) Portable Plasmonic Detection Systems for Point-of-Care Bood Testing

Abstract

Blood sample matrices present significant challenges in point-of-care testing due to strong optical interference from light absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence. To address these issues, we developed near-infrared fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) probes designed to minimize such interference. By engineering plasmonic nanostructures, we enhanced the signal intensity of both fluorescence and SERS probes. These plasmon-enhanced probes were then integrated into a paper-based lateral flow assay platform for efficient sample pretreatment and detection. Finally, we combined the paper lateral flow assays with a reader and a smartphone to create a portable detection system capable of rapid identification of acute and infectious diseases—including COVID-19, HIV, and traumatic injuries—directly at point-of-care settings.