How do Nanoparticles Enhance Diagnostic Sensitivity?
Nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles and quantum dots, possess unique optical and electronic properties that make them excellent candidates for enhancing diagnostic sensitivity. These nanoparticles can be conjugated with antibodies or other biomolecules to create highly specific probes. For example, in a technique called *surface-enhanced Raman scattering* (SERS), gold nanoparticles amplify the Raman signal of a target molecule, enabling the detection of even single molecules. Similarly, *quantum dots* emit fluorescence when excited by light, allowing for the precise imaging of biological targets.
