Vibrational Biospectroscopy in the Clinical Setting: Exploring the Impact of New Advances in the Field of Immunology

Abstract

Te investigation of pathological diseases largely relies on laboratory examinations. Te ability to identify and characterise cells is an essential process for clinicians to reach an accurate diagnosis and inform appropriate treatments. Tere is currently a gap between the advancement of scientifc knowledge on cellular and molecular pathways and the development of novel techniques capable of detecting subtle cellular changes associated with disease. Biospectroscopy is the use of spectroscopy techniques to investigate biological materials. Within a biological sample, important molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and proteins are held together by chemical bonds; these bonds will vibrate following excitation with infrared light. By measuring the vibrational energy of each molecule present in a biological sample, a unique spectrum, known as the “molecular fngerprint” is generated. As disease-related changes in biological samples will be refected in the molecular fngerprint, biospectroscopy is a well-placed candidate for the investigation of disease. Biospectroscopy has been gaining wider acceptance and application in the clinical setting over the past decade; however, it has yet to reach diagnostic laboratories and healthcare clinics as a routine platform for clinical assessment. Immunological disorders are complex, often demonstrating interaction across multiple molecular pathways which results in delayed diagnosis. Vibrational spectroscopy is being applied in many felds, and here we present a review of its use in cellular immunology. Potential benefts, including an enhanced defnition of molecular processes and the use of spectroscopy in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment response, are discussed. Te translation of vibrational spectroscopic techniques into clinical practice ofers rapid, noninvasive, and inexpensive methods to obtain information on the molecular composition of biological samples. Te potential clinical benefts of biospectroscopy include providing a more prompt and accurate disease diagnosis, thus improving patient care and resulting in better health outcomes.