In situ chemically specific mapping of agrochemical seed coatings using stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

Time-resolved Assessment of Drying Plants by Brillouin and Raman Spectroscopies

Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy enable non-invasive assessment of chemical and elastic properties of biomaterials, respectively. In this report, Brillouin micro-spectroscopy was used for the time-resolved analysis of elastic properties of Populus and Geranium leaves, while Raman micro-spectroscopy was employed for the assessment of their chemical variation during drying. Spectroscopic assessment of elastic and chemical properties can improve our understanding of mechano-chemical changes of plants in response to environmental stress and pathogens at the microscopic cellular level. This report demonstrates the potential of multimodal optical sensing and imaging of plants as an emerging technique for the quantitative assessment of agricultural crops.

Biological imaging of chemical bonds by stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

All molecules consist of chemical bonds, and much can be learned from mapping the spatiotemporal dynamics of these bonds. Since its invention a decade ago, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy has become a powerful modality for imaging chemical bonds with high sensitivity, resolution, speed and specificity. We introduce the fundamentals of SRS microscopy and review innovations in SRS microscopes and imaging probes. We highlight examples of exciting biological applications, and share our vision for potential future breakthroughs for this technology.

Raman Imaging of Small Biomolecules

Imaging techniques greatly facilitate the comprehensive knowledge of biological systems. Although imaging methodology for biomacromolecules such as protein and nucleic acids has been long established, microscopic techniques and contrast mechanisms are relatively limited for small biomolecules, which are equally important participants in biological processes. Recent developments in Raman imaging, including both microscopy and tailored vibrational tags, have created exciting opportunities for noninvasive imaging of small biomolecules in living cells, tissues, and organisms. Here, we summarize the principle and workflow of small-biomolecule imaging by Raman microscopy. Then, we review recent efforts in imaging, for example, lipids, metabolites, and drugs. The unique advantage of Raman imaging has been manifested in a variety of applications that have provided novel biological insights.