Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for probing internal cellular structure and dynamics

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) provides vibrational information about molecules that are located within several nanometers of the surface of a metallic nanoparticle. This review describes the various challenges and successes of applying SERS inside living cells in order to gain information about the internal structure and dynamic processes occurring in the intracellular matrix. In particular, the challenges associated with the introduction of metal nanoparticles into cells are described, as well as the complexity of interpreting SERS spectra from within complex biological environments. Strategies for understanding and improving the specificity of SERS in vivo are also presented.