title: Chemical contrast for imaging living systems: molecular vibrations drive CARS microscopy.
abstract: Cellular biomolecules contain unique molecular vibrations that can be visualized by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy without the need for labels. Here we review the application of CARS microscopy for label-free imaging of cells and tissues using the natural vibrational contrast that arises from biomolecules like lipids as well as for imaging of exogenously added probes or drugs. High-resolution CARS microscopy combined with multimodal imaging has allowed for dynamic monitoring of cellular processes such as lipid metabolism and storage, the movement of organelles, adipogenesis and host-pathogen interactions and can also be used to track molecules within cells and tissues. The CARS imaging modality provides a unique tool for biological chemists to elucidate the state of a cellular environment without perturbing it and to perceive the functional effects of added molecules.
authors.affiliation: Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada. john.pezacki@nrc.ca
authors.forename: John Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pezacki
authors.forename: Jessie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Dana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Rodney K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lyn
authors.forename: Ragunath
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singaravelu
mesh_terms: D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media