Raman Spectroscopy for Diagnostics and Biochemical Analysis

Raman (micro)spectroscopy has the advantage of finding applications going from isolated molecules, complex systems like macromolecules, cells, tissues, to humans. Applications of Raman spectroscopy to disease diagnostics and biological analysis are numerous and varied. The following outlines one study as an example.  

This indicates that early biochemical changes can be identified using Raman spectroscopy. 

The results show the ability of Raman spectroscopy to classify cervical cancer and pre-cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. These classifications are based on biochemical changes known to accompany cervical cancer such as loss of differentiation and increased proliferation. This study shows the capability of Raman microspectroscopy to investigate not only the tissue but also the cells within the tissue, as it is known that a tumour can contain a heterogeneous population of cells. 

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