Pushing the Frontiers of Molecular Biophotonics: Raman Spectroscopy and Label-free Microscopy for Medical Diagnostics and the Environment

I will describe how we are pushing the frontiers of Raman spectroscopy and label-free multiphoton imaging techniques and developing their applications to find solutions to global health and environmental issues. We have developed a novel ‘Spectromics’ method called multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy (MX-Raman). Using this method we are aiming to transform dementia diagnosis by enabling early detection and disease classification using a single drop of blood and providing a rapid triage method for detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We are developing deeply penetrating multiphoton imaging techniques using near-and shortwave-infrared to study cartilage and bone as well as to understand the role of microplastics in the development of coral skeletons. We aim to ultimately enable in situ imaging-based diagnostics of osteoarthritis and direct monitoring of coral reefs but recognize that the potential impact could be much beyond the applications we are pursuing.