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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Non-contact, Label-free Monitoring of Cells and Extracellular Matrix using Raman Spectroscopy
Published on: May 29, 2012
Characterization and application of Raman labels for confocal Raman microspectroscopic detection of cellular proteins
Kasem Nithipatikom1, Michael J McCoy, Sharon R Hawi
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. kasemn@mcw.edu
Abstract:
A method using confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the detection of cellular proteins in single intact cells was developed. Two approaches were used to improve the detection of these cellular components. First, compounds with high Raman scattering were investigated for potential use as Raman labels. Raman labels were conjugated to either biomolecules or biotin and used as markers in the detection of cellular enzymes and receptors. Second, silver colloids were used to increase the surface-enhanced Raman scatter (SERS) of these Raman labels. Cresyl violet and dimethylaminoazobenzene are Raman labels that provide very sensitive SERS detection by a confocal Raman microscope with a HeNe laser at wavelength of 632.8 nm. The detection of 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-1 in single bovine coronary artery endothelial cells and the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors in zona glomerulosa cells was demonstrated.
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