We show that silver cluster-biochromophore hybrids exhibit markedly different optical properties than analogue copper and gold hybrids. This is reflected in a localized resonance at approximate to 320 nm enhancing strongly the absorption of biomolecules. In contrast, copper and gold hybrid systems exhibit very different behavior due to a small s-d energy gap leading to a high density of states with low intensities spread in a broad energy interval. Our results provide insight into the factors governing the proper choice of metallic labels for bioanalytical applications based on localized enhancement of absorption and fluorescence. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.