Commentary & Perspectives

How Methodological Flaws Distorted a Decade of Serum SERS Studies

A cautionary tale about spectral interpretation, methodological rigor, and the pressure to publish

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Roberto Gobbato and colleagues from the University of Trieste's Raman Spectroscopy Lab have unveiled significant methodological flaws in the interpretation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectra of serum, revealing that uric acid and hypoxanthine dominate spectral signals. Their research critiques widespread misinterpretations in the literature, emphasizing rigorous experimental validation and an understanding of SERS mechanics. As SERS shows potential for disease diagnosis, addressing these interpretational issues is crucial for future reliable applications in clinical settings.

Original Source(s)

How Methodological Flaws Distorted a Decade of Serum SERS Studies

A cautionary tale about spectral interpretation, methodological rigor, and the pressure to publish

  • by James Strachan

  • February 16, 2026

  • 10 min

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