Resonance Raman spectroscopy in biochemistry and biology

Abstract

Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy provides detailed information on the vibrational and electronic properties of biochemical and biological chromophores. The analysis of RR spectra, using for example model compounds or a group frequency approach, enables us to form an accurate structural picture of the chromophore in its natural biological site. Moreover, the insight gained into the electronic states of a biological chromophore can be crucial to our understanding of its function. Thus the RR technique represents a powerful means of eliciting precise structural and electronic data from a coloured species and of focusing upon key aspects of its function. It has even been possible to obtain RR spectra from some natural chromophores in vivo, giving spectra detailed and informative enough to please a spectroscopist from a system complex enough to satisfy a biologist.

Rapid resonance Raman microspectroscopy to probe carbon dioxide fixation by single cells in microbial communities

“…The sharp and strong v1 (stretching mode of the C ¼ C bonds at B1515 cm À1 ), v2 (stretching mode of the C-C bonds at B1155 cm À1 ) and v3 (deformation of the methyl groups at B1003 cm À1 ) peaks can be unambiguously assigned to carotenoids (Rimai et al, 1973;Tracewell et al, 2001;Robert, 2009). The position of the v1 band varies according to the length of the conjugated C ¼ C bond chain (Rimai et al, 1973;Carey, 1978;Tracewell et al, 2001;Robert, 2009). The v2 band varies depending on the molecular conformation, and the v3 band is related to carotenoid methyl groups (Rimai et al, 1973;Carey, 1978;Tracewell et al, 2001;Robert, 2009).…”

“…The position of the v1 band varies according to the length of the conjugated C ¼ C bond chain (Rimai et al, 1973;Carey, 1978;Tracewell et al, 2001;Robert, 2009). The v2 band varies depending on the molecular conformation, and the v3 band is related to carotenoid methyl groups (Rimai et al, 1973;Carey, 1978;Tracewell et al, 2001;Robert, 2009). The RR signals of carotenoids are so strong that with 532 nm laser excitation the SCRR spectra of carotenoid-containing microorganisms predominantly display the v1, v2 and v3 Raman bands, which in Figure 1 arise from the typical carotenoid b-carotene.…”

Discriminant Analysis of Raman Spectra for Body Fluid Identification for Forensic Purposes

“…We have recently demonstrated that the combination of Raman spectroscopy and advanced statistics can potentially discriminate human and animal blood traces [13,14]. Raman scattering is a powerful qualitative and quantitative analytical method based on a process where incident monochromatic photons interact with a sample to produce scattered photons with an energy distribution characteristic of molecular structure [15][16][17]. In the modern era of digital light detectors providing hundreds and thousands of data points in every measured spectrum, statistical analysis becomes an especially powerful tool.…”

Hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurements using resonance Raman intravital microscopy

“…Raman spectroscopy can be used to uniquely identify molecules and has a wide range of in vivo applications (2,8,9,22). In terms of HbO 2 Sat determination, this method has the advantage that the oxygenation information is related only to the specific interaction of the photons with the Hb molecules, generating a unique Raman spectrum (6,7,12,36,40,41).…”