Dual signal magnification for ultrasensitive biosensing based on well-regulated SERS of AuNTs@AuHg and DSN-assisted amplification.

AuNTs@AuHg alloy with well-regulated SERS properties was proposed, which displayed wonderful SERS intensity and effective salt resistance. Using miRNA-21 as a model analyte and combining with DSN-assisted amplification, a dual signal amplification strategy for ultrasensitive miRNA biosensing with a low detection limit (0.53 fM) and satisfactory selectivity was designed.