Cellular and Tissue Analysis

By leveraging state-of-the-art IR and Raman instrumentation, we offer unparalleled resolution and precision in analyses of cellular and tissue responses, providing high-quality data for both diagnostic and research applications.

đź“ŤThe cellular and tissue analysis services can also leverage the unparalleled power of synchrotron light as they are provided by SISSI Beamline at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste in Area Science Park.

Hyperspectral Cytology

Perform label-free analysis of cellular responses to infections, drugs, exogenous chemical and physical stressors with IR microscopy, including phenotyping for diagnostic perspectives.
The analysis may be performed on fixed cellular samples as well as under near-physiological conditions to preserve cell dynamics. Gain deep insights into cellular behaviours and pharmacological effects without sample damaging or staining, with cellular and subcellular lateral resolution, by hyperspectral biochemical profiling. Single point spectroscopy as well as cellular mapping are possible.

For hyperspectral cytology with cellular resolution, the instrumentation employed is the Hyperion 3000 Vis-IR microscope mounting a single point Mid-band MCT detector (10,000-600 cm-1) and coupled with INVENIO-R Fourier Transform Infrared Interferometer, FTIR (Bruker). Transmission and reflection microscopy is possible, depending on the sample substrate and characteristics, with a lateral resolution of a few tens of microns.

For hyperspectral cytology with sub-cellular resolution, the instrumentation employed is the Optical-Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectral microscope (Photothermal). The instrument, unique in the Italian scenario, exploits non-contact visible-probe detection of the photothermal IR effect and overcomes the spatial resolution limitation of traditional FTIR microscopy.

Sub-micrometric lateral resolution is achievable for both fixed and unfixed cellular samples. The instrument combines at the same measurements point green-excited Raman microscopy with comparable lateral resolution and epifluorescence, providing a multi-technique analytical platform in a single instrument.

Hyperspectral Histology

Examine tissue responses to pathogens or drugs, as well as disease progression, using IR microscopy for comprehensive hyperspectral mapping.
Understand the impact of therapeutic agents or disease at the organ level, advancing diagnostic and prognostic capabilities with non-damaging label-free hyperspectral imaging.
For hyperspectral histological imaging, the instrumentation employed is the Hyperion 3000 Vis-IR microscope mounting a large area Focal Plane Array (FPA) 128x128 pixel detector and coupled with INVENIO-R Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (Bruker). The covered spectral range, 4,000-750 cm-1, allows for the analysis of the most relevant spectral bands diagnostic of tissue lipids, proteins, aminoacids and carbohydrates. Transmission and reflection acquisition modalities are foreseen, depending on the sample substrate, with a lateral resolution of some microns up to a about 1 micron.

Selected Publications

Hyperspectral Cytology

  • “Infrared Microspectroscopy of Live Cells in Microfluidic Devices (MD-IRMS): Toward a Powerful Label-Free Cell-Based Assay”
    L. Vaccari et al., Analytical Chemistry, 2012, 84(11), pp. 4768–4775
    DOI: 10.1021/ac300313x
  • “Time-Resolved FT-IR Microspectroscopy of Protein Aggregation Induced by Heat-Shock in Live Cells”
    E. Mitri et al., Analytical Chemistry, 2015, 87(7), pp. 3670–3677
    DOI: 10.1021/ac5040659
  • “Determination of cell cycle phases in live B16 melanoma cells using IRMS”
    D.E. Bedolla et al., Analyst, 2013, 138(14), pp. 4015–4021
    DOI: 10.1039/C3AN00318C
  • “Apoptotic pathways of U937 leukemic monocytes investigated by infrared microspectroscopy and flow cytometry”
    G. Birarda et al., Analyst, 2014, 139(12), pp. 3097–3106
    DOI: 10.1039/C4AN00317A
  • “Live-Cell Synchrotron-Based FTIR Evaluation of Metabolic Compounds in Brain Glioblastoma Cell Lines after Riluzole Treatment”
    T. Dučić et al., Analytical Chemistry, 2022, 94(4), pp. 1932–1940
    DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02076
  • “In vitro FTIR microspectroscopy analysis of primary oral squamous carcinoma cells treated with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil: a new spectroscopic approach for studying the drug–cell interaction”
    E. Giorgini et al., Analyst, 2018, 143(14), pp. 3317–3326
    DOI: 10.1039/C8AN00602D
  • “Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy reveals biochemical changes associated with glioma stem cell differentiation”
    S. Kenig et al., Biophysical Chemistry, 2015, 207, pp. 90–96
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2015.09.005
  • “A vibrational in vitro approach to evaluate the potential of monoolein nanoparticles as isofuranodiene carrier in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line: New insights from Infrared and Raman microspectroscopies”
    V. Notarstefano et al., Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2022, 269, 120735
    DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120735


Hyperspectral Histology
  • "Model-based correction algorithm for Fourier Transform infrared microscopy measurements of complex tissue-substrate systems"
    A.D. Surowka et al., Analytica Chimica Acta, 2020, 1103, pp. 143–155
    DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.12.070
  • "Differential protein folding and chemical changes in lung tissues exposed to asbestos or particulates"
    L. Pascolo et al., Scientific Reports, 2015, 5, 12129
    DOI: 10.1038/srep12129
  • "Effect of ingested tungsten oxide (WOx) nanofibers on digestive gland tissue of porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea): Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging"
    S. Novak et al., Environmental Science and Technology, 2013, 47(19), pp. 11284–11292
    DOI: 10.1021/es402364w
  • "Plastics everywhere: first evidence of polystyrene fragments inside the common Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus"
    E. Bergami et al., Biology Letters, 2020, 16(6), 20200093
    DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5025788.
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