UBC study shows hair follicle stem cells can be identified by raman spectroscopy

Stem cells offer tremendous opportunities for regenerative medicine. Over the past decade considerable research has taken place to identify and characterize the differentiation states of stem cells in culture. Raman micro-spectroscopy has emerged as an ideal technology since it is fast, nondestructive, and does not require potentially toxic dyes. Raman spectroscopy systems can also be incorporated into confocal microscope imaging systems allowing spectra to be obtained from below the tissue surface.

The study “Label-free identification and characterization of murine hair follicle stem cells located in thin tissue sections with Raman micro-spectroscopy” was published in the June 7, 2014 issue of Analyst.