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Poster Contributed Presentation

RAM

Sunday Student Poster Presentations

S74 - Sheath-Flow Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Analyzing Lentivirus Stability During Freeze Storage

Sunday, October 5, 2025
7:15 PM - 9:15 PM EDT
Location: Ballroom C
In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: Use of sheath-flow SERS to monitor lentiviral stability across freeze-thaw durations. 

Abstract Text: Gene therapy has the potential to treat a wide range of genetic diseases, but its success is often limited by the ability to rapidly and reliably monitor viral vectors during development and manufacturing. To improve viral vector monitoring, we propose a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection method using a sheath-flow system. The flow cell enhances analyte-substrate interaction and offers a faster, label-free alternative to traditional biological assays for characterizing lentiviral vectors. The storage and transport of these viral vector systems is an important consideration.  Here, we investigate how freeze-thaw cycles affect the structural integrity of lentiviruses by monitoring changes in SERS spectral profiles across different freezing durations. Our aim is to identify molecular signatures of viral degradation and determine whether this method can reliably track stability under gene therapy relevant storage conditions. Lentiviral samples subjected to varying freeze durations were thawed and introduced into an in-house microfluidic flow cell containing a noble metal SERS substrate. The system was operated under controlled flow conditions to promote consistent interactions between the virus particles and the SERS substrate. This configuration minimizes signal variability often observed in static droplet measurements and enables reproducible spectral acquisition. Changes in the SERS spectral profiles of lentiviral samples can be associated with freeze-thaw effects. By comparing spectra across different freeze durations, we can identify SERS-based markers of viral efficacy. These results support the use of sheath-flow SERS as a rapid, non-destructive tool for evaluating lentiviral stability under cold storage conditions. By providing insight into how freeze storage affects viral integrity, this method could inform optimization of storage protocols and allow for earlier detection of degradation in gene therapy vectors. More broadly, integrating sheath-flow SERS into viral analytics offers a scalable platform for rapid biological characterization, with potential applications across biopharmaceutical development and viral vector manufacturing.