A method for optical super-multiplexing using polyynes to provide enhanced images from stimulated Raman microscopy is disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, the polyynes are organelle-targeted or spectral barcoded. Imaging can be enhanced by using the polyynes to image whole live cells or specific organelles within live cells. The polyynes can also be used in optical data storage (i.e., encoding) and identification (i.e., decoding) applications.

A method for optical super-multiplexing using polyynes to provide enhanced images from stimulated Raman microscopy is disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments, the polyynes are organelle-targeted or spectral barcoded. Imaging can be enhanced by using the polyynes to image whole live cells or specific organelles within live cells. The polyynes can also be used in optical data storage (i.e., encoding) and identification (i.e., decoding) applications.

Methods of monitoring in vitro transcription of mRNA and/or post-in vitro transcription processes are provided. For example, methods of monitoring in vitro transcription of mRNA and/or post-in vitro transcription processes by acquiring one or more Raman spectra are provided.

Methods of monitoring in vitro transcription of mRNA and/or post-in vitro transcription processes are provided. For example, methods of monitoring in vitro transcription of mRNA and/or post-in vitro transcription processes by acquiring one or more Raman spectra are provided.

Sensors for target entities having functionalized thereon, at least one aptamer specific to the target entity, and methods of making and using the same are described for use in glycated protein monitoring and/or biomarkers.

Sensors for target entities having functionalized thereon, at least one aptamer specific to the target entity, and methods of making and using the same are described for use in glycated protein monitoring and/or biomarkers.

Gold nanorattle probes are provided that are highly tunable, physiologically stable, and ultra-bright Raman probes for in vitro and in vivo surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. The nanorattles contain an essentially uniform gap between core and shell that is tunable and can range from 2nm to 10nm in width. This provides numerous advantages including allowing for increased loading with a variety of dye molecules that exhibit SERS in various spectral regions, including the tissue optical window for in vivo studies. In addition, the nanorattle probes provide an internal label when used in diagnostic methods to detect nucleic acids, proteins and other biotargets. The nanorattles have an essentially spherical gold metal nanoparticle core, a porous material of silver metal of an essentially uniform width surrounding the nanoparticle core that is loaded with one or more SERS reporter molecules, and an outer gold metal shell encapsulating the porous material.

A label for marking a target structure includes at least one polyyne and at least one oligonucleotide. The at least one polyyne is configured to be detectable via a distinct Raman spectroscopy characteristic.

A cancer cell detection system includes a sample holder, a laser light source, a light detector, and a determine module. The sample holder holds a cell measurement component having metal nanoparticles, and a cell sample is on the cell measurement component. The laser light source illuminates the cell sample. The light detector detects a surface enhanced Raman scattering signal of the cell sample. The determine module selectively determines if the cell sample includes a cancer cell according to a signal intensity of a valid signal in a first Raman peak and a signal intensity of a valid signal in a second Raman peak. The first Raman peak is the signal position of the ring breathing mode of adenine, and the second Raman peak is the signal position of the stretching mode of adenine.

A cancer cell detection system includes a sample holder, a laser light source, a light detector, and a determine module. The sample holder holds a cell measurement component having metal nanoparticles, and a cell sample is on the cell measurement component. The laser light source illuminates the cell sample. The light detector detects a surface enhanced Raman scattering signal of the cell sample. The determine module selectively determines if the cell sample includes a cancer cell according to a signal intensity of a valid signal in a first Raman peak and a signal intensity of a valid signal in a second Raman peak. The first Raman peak is the signal position of the ring breathing mode of adenine, and the second Raman peak is the signal position of the stretching mode of adenine.