Multimodal method for identifying hazardous agents

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of dynamic chemical imaging, including methods of cellular imaging. The method comprises illuminating at least a portion of a cell with substantially monochromatic light and assessing Raman-shifted light scattered from the illuminated portion at a plurality of discrete times. The Raman-shifted light can be assessed at a plurality of Raman shift (RS) values at each of the discrete times, and the RS values can be selected to be characteristic of a pre-selected component at each of the discrete times. Multivariate analysis of Raman spectral features of the images thus obtained can yield the location and chemical identity of components in the field of view. This information can be combined or overlaid with other spectral data (e.g., a visible microscopic image) obtained from the field of view.The invention relates to apparatus and methods for assessing occurrence of a hazardous agent in a sample by performing multimodal spectral analysis of the sample. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy for entities in a sample which exhibit one or more optical properties characteristic of a hazardous agent are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of Raman spectroscopy. Background technique [0002] The deliberate and unintentional development of chemical or biological agents that are harmful or used as weapons pose a significant threat to the public welfare, as do explosives and radioactive materials. These agents threaten human health and economic integrity, and the threat posed by these agents is compounded by the limited ability to detect them and mount an appropriate response. [0003] The mass destruction potential of biological weapons agents (BWA) and chemical weapons agents (CWA) is considered to be comparable or even greater than that of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons have the potential to affect a limited area, but the potential is enormous, and the consequences of using such weapons are immediately apparent. The geographic location and boundaries of an attack with BWA and CWA are not readily apparent and may be difficult to ide...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Conventional tools for detecting BWA may become less effective over time as this knowledge disseminates

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