Nottingham University researchers have demonstrated a non-invasive Raman microspectroscopy (RMS) technique developed to deliver high-purity cell populations.
This RMS technique phenotypically identifies live cardiomyocyte cells within highly heterogeneous cell populations with greater than 96 per cent sensitivity and specificity.
The team used an Andor Idus 401A-BRDD cooled, deep-depletion, back-illuminated CCD camera attached to a purpose-built Raman microspectrometer to record spectra from individual cells derived from micrometric regions of human embryonic stem cells (hESC).
By comparing with matching immunofluorescence images from the same cells, they showed that the Raman spectra correspond to the spatial distribution of biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and that this can be used to discriminate between different cell types.
The team claimed the Andor iDus 401A camera allowed measurements of Raman spectra from selected positions in the cells in only 0.5 seconds.
In addition, the detectors were optimised for the spectral regions in which the team worked, 800-900nm, which is vital for avoiding photodamage to the cells.
Since RMS has only a minimal background signal from water, it allows repeated observations of viable cells maintained under physiological conditions.
