Development of a non-invasive cellular thermometer using Raman spectroscopy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02744
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 34020:Analytical chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Aoyama Gakuin University (2020-2022); The University of Tokyo (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Shimada Rintaro 青山学院大学, 理工学部, 助教 (70548940)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ラマン分光 / 温度計測 / 多変量解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present research was conducted to develop a new microscope that uses Raman spectroscopy to visualize the distribution of substances and temperature inside cells without staining or tagging. We developed a novel microscopic imaging system capable of high-speed observation of Raman scattering over a wide (-2000 to +2000 cm-1) spectral range. Using the low-frequency Raman signal, we visualized the distribution of proteins, lipids, and water inside living cells. Furthermore, we developed a new noise reduction technique for signal analysis. Using the forged instrument, we performed temperature distribution imaging of living cells and obtained results suggesting the existence of temperature inhomogeneity inside the cells.

Free Research Field

分子分光学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究ではラマン分光を基盤技術として用い、細胞内部の物質分布や温度分布を非染色で可視化する新しい分光顕微鏡の開発を目的として研究を行った。本研究で開発した装置は細胞内化学環境を侵襲することなく温度計測を行う新たな方法論を提供するものであり、細胞機能や細胞活性の評価に利用可能であると期待される。