Vibrational Spectroscopy Applications in Biological Systems

Vibrational spectroscopy encompasses a suite of techniques that probe molecular vibrations to reveal chemical composition, structure and dynamics in biological systems. Predominantly, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy provide label-free, non-destructive analysis of tissues, cells and biofluids, leveraging characteristic molecular “fingerprints” of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Recent advances in instrument sensitivity, spatial resolution and data analysis have expanded applications from bulk biochemical profiling to single-cell and subcellular mapping. Innovations such as surface enhancement, photothermal detection and high-throughput sampling have addressed challenges of weak signal, spectral overlap and water interference, enabling real-time imaging in hydrated environments and rapid clinical screening. Integration with machine learning and chemometric methods has further refined diagnostic classification and metabolic interpretation. Collectively, these developments underscore the global significance of vibrational spectroscopy for fundamental studies of cellular function, disease pathogenesis and translational applications in diagnostics, drug discovery and histopathology.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Single-cell metabolic imaging platforms have been developed by incorporating azide-tagged infrared probes that selectively bind newly synthesised lipids in human-derived 2D and 3D culture systems. By combining infrared detection of the azide tag with fluorescence-based cell identification, researchers have achieved high-specificity mapping of lipid metabolism in induced pluripotent stem cells, differentiated microglia and neuronal organoids, revealing cell-type and mutation-dependent metabolic heterogeneity.

A high-throughput attenuated total reflection FTIR blood test employing machine learning algorithms has demonstrated rapid triage of brain cancer patients in a primary care setting. The system utilises minimal sample preparation, automated spectral acquisition and pattern-recognition classifiers to distinguish cancer from control samples with over 90 % sensitivity and specificity, marking a significant step towards clinical translation of spectroscopic diagnostics.

Vibrational Spectroscopy Applications in Biological Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in vibrational spectroscopy applications in biological systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Vibrational spectroscopy: Analytical techniques that measure molecular vibrations induced by infrared or Raman scattering to characterise chemical bonds and molecular structures.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy: A method that collects infrared absorption spectra across a broad wavelength range by applying a mathematical Fourier transform to interferometric data, enabling rapid and sensitive material analysis.

Raman spectroscopy: A scattering-based technique that detects inelastic photon–molecule interactions, providing complementary vibrational information to infrared methods with minimal water interference.

Attenuated total reflection (ATR): An FTIR sampling approach in which an evanescent wave probes a thin layer of sample in contact with a high-refractive-index crystal, reducing preparation and enabling rapid surface measurements.

Photothermal imaging: A detection modality where absorption of modulated infrared light induces local heating and refractive-index changes, which are monitored by a visible probe beam to map chemical contrast with high spatial resolution.

Plasmonic metasurface: Engineered nanostructured surfaces that support enhanced electromagnetic fields at specific infrared resonances, amplifying molecular absorption signals for improved spectroscopic sensitivity.

References

1. Single-cell mapping of lipid metabolites using an infrared probe in human-derived model systems. Nature Communications (2024).
2. Development of high-throughput ATR-FTIR technology for rapid triage of brain cancer. Nature Communications (2019).
3. Metasurface‐Enhanced Mid‐Infrared Spectrochemical Imaging of Tissues. Advanced Materials (2023).
4. Label-free mid-infrared photothermal live-cell imaging beyond video rate. Light: Science & Applications (2023).
5. Label-Free High-Resolution Photothermal Optical Infrared Spectroscopy for Spatiotemporal Chemical Analysis in Fresh, Hydrated Living Tissues and Embryos. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023).