APPLICATIONS OF MICRO-RAMAN IMAGING IN BIOMEDICAL-RESEARCH

Recent results are presented of the application of imaging micro-Raman spectrometers in cellular biophysics and biomedical research. Various micro-Raman spectrometers have been developed that are now routinely applied in these fields. Results are presented that were obtained with a linescan Raman microspectrometer and with a Raman imaging microscop e. Applications of Raman linescan spectrometry concern the investigati on of polytene chromosomes obtained from the salivary gland of Chirono mus thummi thummi. The distribution of DNA and proteins was investigat ed in bands and interbands. In a second example of Raman linescan spec trometry, bone implants were investigated. These bone implants were co ated with thin layers of materials that improve biocompatibility. The density, crystallinity and protein distribution can be investigated. I nformation from Raman imaging may help in selecting the proper materia ls for maximum biocompatibility, Raman imaging microscopy is used when ever two-dimensional spatial information is required on the distributi on of molecules or molecular components. Raman images are presented of filipine and phenylalanine in human eye-lenses in and around radial s hades. Raman imaging is a particularly important toot for the study of the distribution of non-fluorescent drugs inside living cells. This i s illustrated for the non-fluorescent drug cobalt octacarboxyphthalocy anine. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.