Plasmonic Molecular Entrapment for Label-Free Methylated DNA Detection and Machine-Learning Assisted Quantification.

Epigenetic DNA methylations are linked to the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. A reliable and label-free method to quantitatively measure DNA methylation levels is essential for diagnosing and monitoring methylation-related diseases. Herein, plasmonic molecular entrapment (PME) method assisted SERS as facile strategy for trapping and label-free sensing of DNA methylation, utilizing in situ surface growth of plasmonic particle in the presence of target analytes, are developed.