# Sensing local nano-environment with coherent Raman microspectroscopy

> **NIH NIH R21** · TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION · 2022 · $218,205

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This exploratory research proposal which aims to investigate a novel approach for interrogating local nano-
environments within a living cell by improving the detection sensitivity of coherent Raman microspectroscopy
as applied to live-cell imaging. The proposed new approach overcomes the existing shortcomings of coherent
Raman spectroscopy. It provides an exquisite tool of microscopic chemically specific imaging with greatly
improved sensitivity of detection and exceptional sensitivity to the local nano-environment. The central
hypothesis is that vibrational coherence excited by two broadband pulses is sensitive to the local environment
and can be precisely measured by interrogating this coherence using a third pulse at a variable time delay. By
choosing a molecular vibration with a relatively narrow spectral line that corresponds to a long relaxation time,
and measuring time-delayed response, background signal can be substantially reduced at long delay times of
the probe pulse. This adjustment makes low-concentration measurements possible. The overall research goal
of the proposed program is to validate this hypothesis by demonstrating sensitivity of coherent Raman
microspectroscopy to a local nano-environment and by improving the detection sensitivity of Raman
spectroscopy. The specific aims of the proposed activities are focused on constructing a prototype of a
microscope and exploring its capabilities using both in vitro and in vivo systems. The proposed research
program is expected to deliver a novel and label-free optical imaging modality with enhanced sensitivity and
specificity that is suitable for live-cell imaging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10477258
- **Project number:** 5R21GM142107-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Vladislav V. Yakovlev
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $218,205
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10477258

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10477258, Sensing local nano-environment with coherent Raman microspectroscopy (5R21GM142107-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10477258. Licensed CC0.

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