Practical Applications of Raman Spectroscopy 1200-2MON13Z
A brief characterization of Raman spectroscopy techniques: classical Raman scattering, resonance Raman effect (RR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS), and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). Comparison of the principles and capabilities of imaging techniques: Raman mapping, CARS, and TERS.
Presentation of the physical foundations of the phenomena exploited in each technique, as well as the usefulness and limitations of individual methods for substance identification and quantitative analysis in studies of crystal structure, chemical process kinetics, surface processes, nanomaterials, polymers, pharmaceuticals, biologically important molecules, pathogens (bacteria and viruses), and components of living organisms (proteins, nucleic acids, cells, and tissues).
Demonstration of applications of Raman spectroscopy methods in archaeology, art, cultural heritage conservation, medicine (including diagnostics and theranostics), pharmacy, geology, astrobiology, and chemical analytics, taking into account the challenges of qualitative analysis based on Raman spectra/maps. Discussion of nanotechnology applications in the context of SERS spectroscopy and multifunctional materials, as well as an outline of the potential of chemometrics and machine learning for large Raman datasets.
During the lecture, the following topics will be discussed in detail:
a) Raman spectrometer in the search for life on Mars,
b) the principle of operation of Raman optical tweezers,
c) the possibility of in vivo Raman measurements (including intracellular measurements),
d) imaging of cells, tissues, and metabolites using CARS spectroscopy,
e) monitoring drug distribution and its interactions with cells in biological samples through Raman mapping,
f) the operation of an intracellular pH sensor based on SERS spectroscopy,
g) investigation of electron transfer mechanisms in systems mimicking biological processes using time-resolved SERRS spectroscopy (combining SERS and RR),
h) analysis of pigments used in works of art using RR and SERS techniques,
i) RR spectroscopy as a tool for the analysis of automotive paints enabling the identification of perpetrators of car accidents,
j) identification of bacteria using Raman and SERS techniques,
k) immunoassays utilizing the SERS effect (including detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus),
l) disease diagnostics using Raman techniques supported by machine learning and chemometrics,
m) multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials active in SERS spectroscopy (including theranostic applications),
n) the usefulness of Raman spectroscopy in microplastic analysis.
For each technique, the application examples have been selected to highlight the advantages and limitations of the given approach. They also provide an up-to-date overview of the capabilities of individual methods in selected fields.
Total workload: 35 hours, including:
participation in classes – 15 hours
consultations with the instructor – 10 hours
preparation for assessment – 10 hours.
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
After attending the lecture, the student knows and understands:
• The physical foundations and structural aspects of modern measurement instrumentation used in advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques (classical scattering, RR, SERS, TERS, CARS) applied in chemical and biomedical research.
• The possibilities of using Raman techniques to monitor the distribution and interactions of pharmaceutical substances in biological systems in the context of understanding drug mechanisms of action at the molecular level and the specificity of drug design.
• The principles of operation, properties, and application potential of biosensors and modern Raman imaging methods in medical diagnostics, particularly in the detection of pathological changes within tissues and the whole organism.
• The characteristics of nanomaterials (including hybrid multifunctional materials) and the correlations between their structure and physicochemical properties relevant for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes (theranostics using Raman techniques).
• Current development trends in modern medical analytics and the advanced physical and chemical phenomena underlying modern molecular diagnostics using Raman techniques.
Skills
After attending the lecture, the student is able to:
• Identify and justify the selection of a specific Raman technique (e.g., SERS, CARS, TERS) appropriate for the analysis of a given problem in medicinal chemistry or imaging diagnostics.
• Analyze and critically evaluate the reliability of results obtained using Raman methods, taking into account the specificity of biological samples and the limitations of various measurement concepts (e.g., resolution of Raman imaging vs. CARS and TERS).
• Design an experiment based on Raman spectroscopy enabling the identification of chemical substances or pathogens in complex biological matrices.
Social Competences
After attending the lecture, the student is prepared to:
• Critically evaluate scientific and popular science content related to advanced Raman spectroscopy methods used in chemistry and medicine (the learning outcome is achieved during the lecture through the analysis and discussion of selected scientific and popular science materials with regard to their substantive correctness and consistency with current knowledge).
• Engage in continuous self-education and independently search for information in professional literature (including foreign-language sources) in order to improve professional competences.
Knowledge:
K_W02 — aspects of the construction and operation of modern measurement instrumentation supporting scientific research in a chemical laboratory
K_W07 — principles of operation, properties, and applications of various types of biosensors
Skills:
K_U02 — apply appropriate methods, techniques, research tools, and IT tools necessary to explain a given research problem
K_U06 — analyze possibilities for improving analytical procedures for applications of chemical analysis in medicine
K_U09 — assess the possibilities and limitations of applying different concepts for improving analytical measurements
K_U20 — use professional literature, databases, and other information sources, and evaluate the reliability of acquired information
K_U21 — describe the foundations underlying the use of nanomaterials in diagnostics, particularly in medical imaging and the detection of pathological changes within tissues or the whole organism
Social Competences:
K_K01 — continuous self-education and independent searching for information in the literature, including foreign-language sources
K_K04 — critical evaluation of scientific and popular science content
Assessment criteria
The final exam is conducted in written form. It consists of several open-ended questions requiring concise answers. Duration: up to 90 minutes.
The exam is problem-oriented and focused on the practical application of advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques in medicinal chemistry, biomedical diagnostics, and the analysis of biological and nanostructured materials.
It covers topics related to the physical foundations of the Raman effect and related phenomena, the construction and capabilities of modern measurement instrumentation (including SERS, TERS, and CARS), Raman imaging and mapping methods, as well as the application of these techniques in medical diagnostics, tissue analysis, investigation of drug mechanisms of action, and theranostics.
During the exam, the student should also demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate Raman technique for a specific research problem and critically evaluate the possibilities and limitations of particular analytical methods. The assessment also includes the ability to design a simple experiment using Raman techniques and an understanding of current trends in the development of modern medical analytics in the application context of Raman spectroscopy.
Practical placement
Does not apply
Bibliography
1. Collective work, ed. K. Małek, Vibrational Spectroscopy. From Theory to Practice, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warsaw, 2016.
2. Materials from multimedia presentations demonstrated during the lecture.
3. Recommended review articles.