Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is emerging as a powerful detection and characterization technique for a variety of molecules and molecular structures. The popularity of the technique can be attributed to its sensitivity and molecular level information it can provide in short time with limited sample preparation step. Although the problems related to reproducible substrate preparation seem to have an impact on the advancement of the technique into other fields such as biotechnology and medicine, the number of recent reports suggests that technique is making progress to have an impact in several fields.

Advances in bringing nanoparticle into more ordered structures and in preparation of nanostructured surfaces in more controlled manner not only have helped to better understand SERS mechanism but also have expanded its applications. This special issue will cover a broad range of SERS-related reports such as substrates, issues addressing the substrate preparation, analytical applications in chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and medicine. The special issue will be a forum discussing the latest developments in SERS substrates and its applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• SERS mechanisms and theoretical foundations in understanding of SERS phenomenon
• Novel SERS substrates
• Implementations in nanomedicine
• Living cell studies
• Disease diagnosis
• Stem cells
• Tissue engineering
• Applications in environmental sciences and microbiology
• Developing the protocols, standards, and devices for clinical implementations
• Single molecule detection studies
• Applications in nanotechnology and nanoenergy

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