Advancements in technology have enabled the development of new spectrometry platforms capable of improved resolution, sensitivity and speed compared to traditional techniques. These emerging techniques are facilitating discoveries across various scientific domains.
Hyperspectral Imaging
Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across the electromagnetic spectrum. It incorporates spectroscopy and digital imaging to obtain both spatial and spectral information from a scene or object. This allows identification and differentiation of materials based on their spectral signature. Hyperspectral imaging finds wide use in remote sensing applications like environmental monitoring and agriculture. It is also being explored for medical applications like cancer detection. Recent enhancements enable capturing of hyperspectral data at faster rates with better spatial and spectral resolution. This improved performance is boosting its utility for dynamic real-time applications.
Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) maps the spatial distribution of biomolecules like peptides, lipids and metabolites directly from biological tissue sections based on their mass-to-charge ratios, without any labeling or prior separation. It provides molecular information about the chemical composition of tissues and enables localization of biomarkers. Advanced MSI platforms now offer high spatial resolution below 50 μm and high mass resolution, allowing detection of low abundance ions. Coupling MSI with other analytical techniques provides complementary information. Combined with microscopy, it relates observed biomolecule distributions to histological features. Integration with separation techniques enriches molecular coverage. These multi-dimensional MSI platforms are enhancing our understanding of biochemical processes in health and disease.
Single-Cell Mass Spectrometry
Novel Spectrometry Platforms at the single-cell level enables characterization of cellular heterogeneity. Recent technological progress has enabled single-cell analysis without the need for labor-intensive separation and culturing of individual cells. Platforms like mass cytometry use mass tags instead of fluorescence for detecting multiple biomolecules simultaneously in single cells. This alleviates limitations of fluorescence-based techniques. Another class of techniques like desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry sample cells intact, providing spatial molecular information within cells. Analysis of thousands of individual cells is revealing new cell subsets and states. Such studies complement genomics to give a deeper view of cellular behavior in healthy and diseased conditions. Advancements in sensitivity, throughput and multiplexing are expanding the scope of single-cell mass spectrometry.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) amplifies the inherently weak Raman scattering from molecules through their interaction with nanostructured metal surfaces. This enhancement enables highly sensitive detection down to the single-molecule level. Recent advancements in SERS substrate design and fabrication have significantly improved performance. Novel substrates like 3D plasmonic nanostructures exhibit higher enhancement factors. Microfluidic SERS platforms integrate sample handling with sensing, facilitating analysis of aqueous solutions and living cells. SERS tags have also been developed by linking Raman reporters to antibodies or other targeting moieties, opening new applications in multiplexed biosensing and live cell imaging. These platforms enable detection of biomedical markers, toxins, chemicals and more with high specificity and sensitivity. SERS holds promise as a simple yet powerful technique for medical diagnostics, food safety testing and environmental monitoring.
Continued improvements in the design and fabrication of Novel Spectrometry Platforms are enhancing capabilities for interrogating complex biological and chemical systems. The emerging techniques discussed here add new dimensions like imaging, single cell resolution and multiplexing to mass spectrometry while significantly boosting the analytical figures of merit. Their integration with other techniques provides a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying science. Wider dissemination and standardization of these techniques promises to accelerate new discoveries with applications in healthcare, industrial processes and more.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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