Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

High-definition Fourier Transform Infrared FT-IR Spectroscopic Imaging of Human Tissue Sections towards Improving Pathology
Published on: January 21, 2015
Rapid and sensitive screening of 17β-estradiol estrogenicity using Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy
Candice M Johnson1, Nancy Pleshko, Mohan Achary
1NSF Water & Environmental Technology (WET) Center, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States.
Abstract:
It is important to develop rapid and sensitive screening assays to assess the biological effects of emerging contaminants. In this contribution, the ability to determine the molecular level effects of 17β-estradiol on single MCF-7 cells using Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT-IRIS) was investigated. The use of FT-IRIS enabled subcellular imaging of the cells and determination of a dose dependent response in mucin concentration at 24 and 48 h of incubation. The 48 h increase in mucin was comparable to increases in cellular proliferation (Pearson R = 0.978). The EC50 values for the E-screen and FT-IRIS assays were 2.29 and 2.56 ppt, respectively, indicating that the molecular changes, which are observed at the single cell level using FT-IRIS, are reflective of physiological changes that are observed as the cell population responds to 17ß-estradiol. The FT-IRIS method, when combined with principal component analysis, enabled differentiation and grouping of cells exposed to varying concentrations of 17ß-estradiol. The FT-IRIS method shows potential to be used as a rapid and sensitive screening technique for the detection of biological responses to different emerging contaminants in relevant cells or tissues.
Related Concept Videos
IR Spectrometers
IR Frequency Region: Fingerprint Region
Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...
IR Spectrum
Transmittance is defined as the ratio of the radiant power passing through a sample to that from the radiation's source. Multiplying the transmittance by 100 gives the percent transmittance (%T), which varies between 100% (no absorption) and 0%...
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

