Application of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy to biological systems

This review summarizes the literature relating to the application of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) techniques to the study of biological molecules. The emphasis is on publications that have appeared during the period from 1985 to 1991. The review is divided into six major parts. First, a brief overview of the current understanding of the mechanistic aspects of SERS/SERRS is given, with an emphasis on the relationship between theoretical predictions and experimental results. The most common experimental systems (colloids, metal island films, and electrodes) are described. Studies of biological systems are described in the second (small molecules), third (DNA and proteins) and fourth (membranes proteins and membrane preparations) sections. In the fifth or conclusion section, the potential use of SERS or SERRS as a method for obtaining spectra of native biological molecules is evaluated. Finally, the sixth section describes advances in Raman instrumentation in terms of their possible impact on future applications of SERS/SERRS techniques to biological molecules.