Join us on Thursday 16 April, from 12.30-1.30 pm, for an online seminar to learn about Raman microscopy, a flexible, non-destructive, and label-free imaging technique that provides chemically specific, high-resolution molecular information in biological samples.

Whilst mass spectrometry (MS)-based modalities such as MALDI and DESI excel in molecular coverage and sensitivity, they impose significant constraints for the user: the need for fixation, sectioning, matrix deposition, and vacuum compatibility. Raman microscopy offers greater flexibility, operating in water, on live cells, in biofluids, and in hydrated tissues. By using a confocal microscope, sub-micron spatial resolution can be achieved.

This presentation will introduce the physical basis of Raman microscopy, key practical considerations for implementation, and a range of biological applications, including drug uptake tracking, disease diagnostics, and tissue phenotyping. It will also explore chemometric approaches such as cluster analysis, machine-learning-based classification, and neural-network-assisted spectral cleaning to accelerate imaging workflows.

This talk will position Raman microscopy as a powerful and practical tool for biological research, highlighting its place within the broader biological imaging landscape and in relation to the mass spectrometric imaging approaches that currently dominate metabolomics and tissue imaging.

Following the presentation, an in-person demonstration will take place on 13-14 May, offering researchers the opportunity to bring their own samples for measurement and generate free pilot data to explore the potential of Raman microscopy for their research.

This event is open to all King’s staff and students; however, registration is required to attend. Please register using the Microsoft registration form . A Teams link will be sent to those who have registered closer to the event.

This event is part of Analytical Bites @ the Analytical Core Facilities, a platform for King’s analytical community designed to share knowledge and explore cutting-edge analytical topics & technology. We invite expert speakers from academia, core facilities, and industry with sessions that include seminars, interactive discussions, workshops and complimentary lunch.

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