A compact Raman imaging system developed by researchers at Michigan State University, in collaboration with Quantum Opus LLC and the University of Michigan, has demonstrated the ability to distinguish tumor tissue from healthy tissue with markedly improved molecular sensitivity. The work, led by Zhen Qiu at Michigan State University’s Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, integrates swept source Raman spectroscopy with surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles and a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector to enable femtomolar-level molecular detection.
Raman imaging is a spectroscopy technique that maps chemical composition by measuring the light-scattering fingerprints of different molecules. Because Raman signals are intrinsically weak, researchers often rely on surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles, which amplify signal intensity when bound to specific molecular targets. The new platform demonstrates a practical pathway toward earlier cancer detection, rapid screening, and broader molecular-imaging capability beyond specialized laboratory environments. For laboratory leaders, the technology signals emerging implications for point-of-care workflows, instrument validation, and interdisciplinary oversight as optical systems move closer to clinical use.
How the compact Raman imaging system improves detection sensitivity
According to the study team, the compact platform combines two core technologies designed to capture extremely faint optical signals emitted by surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles applied to tissue samples or regions under examination. The system uses a swept-source laser, which varies its wavelength during analysis to improve light-collection efficiency, together with a fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector capable of registering individual photons with very low noise. This approach enables detection of Raman signals at lower excitation power and shorter exposure times than conventional dispersive Raman instruments.
The researchers report that the instrument can detect Raman signals approximately four times weaker than those measurable with a comparable commercial system, while its compact, fiber-coupled design supports future miniaturization for intraoperative or near-patient applications.
“Traditional methods for cancer-related diagnosis are time-consuming and labour-intensive because they require the staining of tissue samples and the visual assessment of abnormalities by a pathologist,” said Qiu. “While our system would not immediately replace pathology, it could serve as a rapid screening tool to [aid in and] accelerate diagnosis.”
Qiu added, “This technology could eventually enable portable or intraoperative devices that allow clinicians to detect cancers at earlier stages, improve the accuracy of biopsy sampling, and monitor disease progression through less invasive testing. Ultimately, such advances could enhance patient outcomes and reduce diagnostic delays, accelerating the path from detection to treatment.”
Validation studies and nanoparticle-targeting methods
To evaluate performance, the researchers used surface-enhanced Raman scattering nanoparticles coated with hyaluronan acid to promote binding to CD44, a surface protein expressed in many tumor cells. Initial testing demonstrated femtomolar-level detection in nanoparticle solutions, followed by imaging in cultured breast cancer cells, mouse tumors, and matched healthy tissues.
“The surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals were strongly concentrated in tumor samples, with only minimal background detected in healthy tissue,” said Qiu. “This demonstrated both the exceptional sensitivity of the system and its ability to provide reliable contrast between tumor and healthy tissue. By adjusting or substituting the targeting molecule, this approach could be adapted for other cancer types.”
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The team reports ongoing work to increase imaging speed using vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and to conduct multiplexed biomarker detection experiments that would enable simultaneous readout of multiple molecular targets within a single scan.
Implications for laboratory operations and future adoption
For lab managers, the compact Raman imaging system introduces several operational considerations:
- Movement of advanced molecular imaging beyond core research facilities into clinical and intraoperative settings
- New requirements for validation, quality control, and cross-departmental governance
- Expanded collaboration among pathology, imaging, and clinical engineering teams
- Opportunities to reduce turnaround time through screening-first diagnostic pathways
Further validation across tissue types and tumor models is required before clinical translation, but the work illustrates how emerging optical-detection technologies may affect procurement planning, staffing, and implementation oversight as compact spectroscopy platforms evolve from research tools toward broader diagnostic applications.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
