TY - JOUR
T1 - Aptamer-engineered SERS sensors
T2 - Molecular recognition meets plasmonic enhancement for precision detection
AU - Fan, Xu
AU - Zhang, Ziwen
AU - Liu, Zhuoting
AU - Cao, Ying Ying
AU - Zhang, Taojing
AU - Feng, Baofang
AU - Liu, Fei
AU - Qu, Feng
AU - Zhang, Shenghang
AU - Zhao, Weidong
AU - Sun, Jian
AU - Wang, Tie
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2026/3
Y1 - 2026/3
N2 - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique with high sensitivity, fast response, and non-destructive detection, but it faces interference from other substances in practical applications. Aptamers, as excellent affinity agents, have the capability to bind with various targets to form stable structures. The integration of aptamers into SERS sensors can significantly enhance the acquisition and selection of target objects, thereby enabling the detection of various functional molecules. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of SERS enhancement and the construction of SERS substrates. We summarize the design strategies for aptamer-based SERS technology and provide an overview of its applications in environmental pollutant detection, food safety and quality monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the current advantages and limitations of aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the vast potential for future development. This review will provide a guiding route for the development and application of novel aptamer-based sensors.
AB - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique with high sensitivity, fast response, and non-destructive detection, but it faces interference from other substances in practical applications. Aptamers, as excellent affinity agents, have the capability to bind with various targets to form stable structures. The integration of aptamers into SERS sensors can significantly enhance the acquisition and selection of target objects, thereby enabling the detection of various functional molecules. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of SERS enhancement and the construction of SERS substrates. We summarize the design strategies for aptamer-based SERS technology and provide an overview of its applications in environmental pollutant detection, food safety and quality monitoring, and biomedical diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the current advantages and limitations of aptamer-based SERS sensors, as well as the vast potential for future development. This review will provide a guiding route for the development and application of novel aptamer-based sensors.
KW - Aptamer
KW - Molecular recognition
KW - Plasmonic nanostructure
KW - Sensors
KW - Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105027569911
U2 - 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118664
DO - 10.1016/j.trac.2026.118664
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:105027569911
SN - 0165-9936
VL - 196
JO - TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
JF - TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
M1 - 118664
ER -