Antibody-Functionalized SERRS Nanoprobe Based Imaging: A Highly Sensitive Raman-imaging Technique to Detect Metastatic Ovarian Cancer In Vivo

For nanoprobe injection, spin down both nanoprobe flavors and resuspend the pellets in fresh MES buffer at a 600 picomolar concentration. Mix the nanoparticles and load 1 milliliter of the resulting solution into one 1 milliliter syringe equipped with a 26 gauge needle per mouse and intraperitoneally inject the entire volume into the abdomen of each mouse. Then, gently massage the abdomen to distribute the nanoparticles throughout the peritoneal cavity.

After at least 25 minutes, secure the limbs of a euthanized injected animal onto a surgical platform and use serrated forceps and dissection scissors to remove the skin to expose the peritoneum. Incise the peritoneum. Attach the peritoneal flaps to the platform and wash the inside of the peritoneal cavity with at least 60 milliliters of PBS. Then, transfer the platform to a Raman microspectrophotometer with an upright optical configuration in a motorized stage and image the abdomen under the appropriate imaging parameters.

It is crucial that the focal plane for the Raman scan is on the surface of most of the viscera. If the organs are out of plane, the acquired signal will not be useful.