Diagnostic applications of Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in various fields of science. It has been successfully utilized to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the molecular compositions of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples. This review focuses on the diagnostic applications of Raman spectroscopy in the past 5 years, with specific emphasis on transplant allograft rejection and cancer detections. First we introduce the principle of Raman spectroscopy and associated surface enhancement techniques. Various recent biomedical and clinical applications of Raman spectroscopy are then reviewed in detail. Finally, we present the experimental and analytical techniques required to implement Raman spectroscopy in a laboratory. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This review focuses on evolving diagnostic applications of Raman spectroscopy with special emphasis on transplant allograft rejection and cancer detection.