Quantitative chemical imaging with stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Chemical imaging plays an increasingly important role in studying heterogeneous biological systems. It combines molecular spectroscopy with high-resolution spatial information to create quantitative images of molecular distributions. Here I summarize recent progress in technical developments and biological applications of a specific chemical imaging technique-stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy. SRS microscopy allows for a wide range of molecules - both endogenous and exogenous - to be imaged at high spatial and temporal resolution in living cells, tissues, and organisms. I will focus on developments in SRS imaging that enable detection of non-fluorescent molecules and drive new biological applications.