Facile and sensitive detection of influenza viruses using SERS antibody probes

It is highly important to identify influenza viruses rapidly and accurately for the prevention of future pandemic outbreaks. We developed an easy and sensitive influenza virus detection method using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) antibody probes. The SERS antibody probes can be prepared easily by mixing Au nanoparticles, gold binding peptide-protein G, and antibodies without complicated chemical or biological reactions. They also retain the optimal conformation for the antibody's interaction with Influenza A/CA/07/2009 (pH1N1), allowing us to detect pH1N1 sensitively and selectively. This method provides a detection limit of 4.1 x 10(3) TCID per mL and is highly selective for pH1N1. We anticipate that this method can be useful in a wide range of immunoassays.