Date of Award:

5-2015

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biological Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Elizabeth Vargis

Committee

Elizabeth Vargis

Committee

Vincent B. Wickwar

Committee

David Britt

Abstract

This thesis presents a light scattering-based method for biomarker detection, which could potentially be used for the quantification of multiple biomarkers specific to B-cell malignancies. This method uses fabricated gold nanoparticle probes to amplify inelastic light scattering in a process referred to as surface-enhanced Raman scattering. These gold nanoparticle probes were conjugated to antibodies for specific and targeted molecular binding. The spectrum of the amplified inelastic light scattering was detected using a spectrometer and a detector. To detect the light scattering signal from the gold nanoparticle probes, several commercial Raman spectrometer instruments were evaluated. Initial results from these evaluations are presented in this thesis. After system evaluation, a custom Raman microscope system was designed, built, and tested. This system was used for the development of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based immunoassay. The development of this assay confirms the successful design of gold nanoparticle probes for the specific targeting and detection of immunoglobulins. The immunoassay also shows promise for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers specific to B-cell malignancies.

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