title: Label-free flow cytometry using multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (MCARS) for the analysis of biological specimens.
abstract: We present the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of a label-free flow cytometer for the analysis of biological specimens using multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (MCARS) and elastic scatter measurements. The MCARS system probes the Raman vibrational energy levels and the elastic scatter provides morphological information. We demonstrate these capabilities by probing a culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 100 spectra/s and constructing a background-free Raman reconstruction using a Kramers-Kronig relation. A theoretical analysis shows that this system could operate at speeds of 10 kHz with appropriate hardware; thus facilitating integration into commercial flow cytometers or use as a high-speed, stand-alone device.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 777 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Camp
authors.forename: Siva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yegnanarayanan
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Eftekhar
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adibi
mesh_terms: D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman