Am J Cancer Res 2012;2(1):1-21
Review Article
Infrared spectroscopy and microscopy in cancer research and diagnosis
Giuseppe Bellisola, Claudio Sorio
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Unit of Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy;
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, General Pathology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Received August 25, 2011; accepted September 10, 2011; Epub November 22, 2011; Published January 1, 2012
Abstract: Since the middle of 20th century infrared (IR) spectroscopy coupled to microscopy (IR microspectroscopy) has been
recognized as a non destructive, label free, highly sensitive and specific analytical method with many potential useful
applications in different fields of biomedical research and in particular cancer research and diagnosis. Although many
technological improvements have been made to facilitate biomedical applications of this powerful analytical technique, it has not
yet properly come into the scientific background of many potential end users. Therefore, to achieve those fundamental objectives
an interdisciplinary approach is needed with basic scientists, spectroscopists, biologists and clinicians who must effectively
communicate and understand each other’s requirements and challenges. In this review we aim at illustrating some principles of
Fourier transform (FT) Infrared (IR) vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy (microFT-IR) as a useful method to interrogate
molecules in specimen by mid-IR radiation. Penetrating into basics of molecular vibrations might help us to understand
whether, when and how complementary information obtained by microFT-IR could become useful in our research and/or
diagnostic activities. MicroFT-IR techniques allowing to acquire information about the molecular composition and structure of a
sample within a micrometric scale in a matter of seconds will be illustrated as well as some limitations will be discussed. How
biochemical, structural, and dynamical information about the systems can be obtained by bench top microFTIR instrumentation
will be also presented together with some methods to treat and interpret IR spectral data and applicative examples. The mid-IR
absorbance spectrum is one of the most information-rich and concise way to represent the whole “…omics” of a cell and, as
such, fits all the characteristics for the development of a clinically useful biomarker. (AJCR0000085).
Keywords: Molecular vibrations, vibrational spectroscopy, infrared radiation, synchrotron radiation, infrared microspectroscopy,
mid-infrared absorbance spectroscopy, cancer biomarker, cancer diagnosis, pre-clinical drug screening, unsupervised
multivariate analysis
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
University of Verona School of Medicine
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics
General Pathology Section
Strada Le Grazie, 8
37134 Verona
Italy.
Tel. +39-045-8027688
Fax: +39-045-8027127
E-mail: claudio.sorio@univr.it
Review Article
Infrared spectroscopy and microscopy in cancer research and diagnosis
Giuseppe Bellisola, Claudio Sorio
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Unit of Immunology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy;
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, General Pathology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Received August 25, 2011; accepted September 10, 2011; Epub November 22, 2011; Published January 1, 2012
Abstract: Since the middle of 20th century infrared (IR) spectroscopy coupled to microscopy (IR microspectroscopy) has been
recognized as a non destructive, label free, highly sensitive and specific analytical method with many potential useful
applications in different fields of biomedical research and in particular cancer research and diagnosis. Although many
technological improvements have been made to facilitate biomedical applications of this powerful analytical technique, it has not
yet properly come into the scientific background of many potential end users. Therefore, to achieve those fundamental objectives
an interdisciplinary approach is needed with basic scientists, spectroscopists, biologists and clinicians who must effectively
communicate and understand each other’s requirements and challenges. In this review we aim at illustrating some principles of
Fourier transform (FT) Infrared (IR) vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy (microFT-IR) as a useful method to interrogate
molecules in specimen by mid-IR radiation. Penetrating into basics of molecular vibrations might help us to understand
whether, when and how complementary information obtained by microFT-IR could become useful in our research and/or
diagnostic activities. MicroFT-IR techniques allowing to acquire information about the molecular composition and structure of a
sample within a micrometric scale in a matter of seconds will be illustrated as well as some limitations will be discussed. How
biochemical, structural, and dynamical information about the systems can be obtained by bench top microFTIR instrumentation
will be also presented together with some methods to treat and interpret IR spectral data and applicative examples. The mid-IR
absorbance spectrum is one of the most information-rich and concise way to represent the whole “…omics” of a cell and, as
such, fits all the characteristics for the development of a clinically useful biomarker. (AJCR0000085).
Keywords: Molecular vibrations, vibrational spectroscopy, infrared radiation, synchrotron radiation, infrared microspectroscopy,
mid-infrared absorbance spectroscopy, cancer biomarker, cancer diagnosis, pre-clinical drug screening, unsupervised
multivariate analysis
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
University of Verona School of Medicine
Department of Pathology and Diagnostics
General Pathology Section
Strada Le Grazie, 8
37134 Verona
Italy.
Tel. +39-045-8027688
Fax: +39-045-8027127
E-mail: claudio.sorio@univr.it
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American Journal of Cancer Research
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