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Abstract

Devices and methods relating to biological assays are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a detection-enhancement element for a biological assay can include a substrate, a metallic layer on at least one surface of the substrate and including at least one nanocavity, a transparent film positioned between the substrate and the metallic layer; and capture molecules within the at least one nanocavity. The nanocavities are configured to enhance signals that are representative of the presence or amount of one or more analytes in a sample or sample solution, and may be configured to enhance the signal by a factor of about two or more or by a factor of about three or more. Such signal enhancement may be achieved with nanocavities that are organized in an array, randomly positioned nanocavities, or nanocavities that are surrounded by increased surface area features, such as corrugation or patterning, or nanocavities that have quadrilateral or triangular shapes with tailored edge lengths, or with a plurality of nanoparticles. Methods for fabricating biomolecular substrates and assay techniques in which such biomolecular substrates are used are also disclosed.

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First Claim