Seeing molecules in live cells by Raman microscopy

Abstract

Seeing how molecules behave in live cells plays a key role in advancing our knowledge in biology and medicine. Along this front, Raman microscopy is an emerging biological tool providing rich chemical information based on molecular vibrations. Here, I present recent advances in Raman microscopy and highlight its potential for the visualization of biomolecules and analysis of biological processes in live cells. Slit-scanning Raman microscopy allows the label-free study of intracellular dynamics and when coupled with cell- silent, tiny Raman tags, its scope expands to imaging of specific small molecules. Demands in life sciences will continue to drive developments in Raman microscopy.