Biomolecular Recognition Based on Single Gold Nanoparticle Light Scattering

A method for biomolecular recognition is reported using light scattering of a single gold nanoparticle functionalized with biotin. Addition of streptavidin and subsequent specific binding events alter the dielectric environment of the nanoparticle, resulting in a spectral shift of the particle plasmon resonance. As we use single nanoparticles showing a homogeneous scattering spectrum, spectral shifts as small as 2 meV can be detected.