Metal nanoshell-coated barcodes

A method of growing a metal nanoshell on the surface of a barcode, the method comprising:

• (a) contacting the barcode with metal nanoparticles, and (b) mixing the barcode obtained in step (a) with a salt of the metal for a time sufficient for growing the metal nanoshell on the barcode.

A detection system for detecting a target in a sample, the detection system comprising a plurality of barcodes, each barcode comprising a metal nanoshell-coated microbead having one or more populations of fluorophores and a capture probe conjugated to the metal nanoshell, the capture probe being capable of interacting with the target and the system being capable of producing a detectable signal that indicates detection of the target in the sample, the detectable signal being comprised of a first signal from the barcode having the capture probe bound to the target and a second signal from a secondary probe bound to the target.

A multiplex detection system for simultaneously detecting multiple targets of interest in a single sample, the multiplex detection system comprising:

• a plurality of barcodes, each barcode comprising:
• (i) a metal nanoshell-coated microbead having one or more populations of fluorophores and (ii) one capture probe conjugated to the surface of the barcode capable of interacting with one of the multiple targets of interest such that the plurality of barcodes include at least one barcode for each of the multiple targets of interest, the plurality of metal nanoshell-barcodes being capable of producing different target-specific signals for each of the multiple targets of interest, each target-specific signal being comprised of a first signal from the barcode having the capture probe interacting with a particular target of interest, and a second signal from a secondary probe bound to the particular target of interest.

A method for detecting a target of interest in a sample, the method comprising:

• contacting the sample with:
• (a) a plurality of barcodes, each barcode comprising a metal nanoshell-coated microbead having one or more populations of fluorophores, and a capture probe conjugated to the metal nanoshell, the capture probe being capable of interacting with the target of interest, each barcode being capable of emitting a target-specific signal, and (b) a secondary probe, the secondary probe being capable interacting with the target of interest and of emitting a secondary probe signal;
• wherein the presence of the barcode signal and the secondary probe signal indicates detection of the target in the sample.