In the past few years, Raman spectroscopy and its technological modifications—such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), coherent Raman scattering (CRS), and multimodal platforms—have transitioned from proof-of-concept demonstrations to impactful tools in biomedical research. These advances span therapeutic monitoring, chemical biology imaging, deep-tissue diagnostics, precision oncology, and multimodal analytics. This article synthesizes the most influential reviews in these areas, highlighting emerging trends, limitations, and future directions.

In an exclusive interview with Spectroscopy, John Margeson, a Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific in the company’s Tewksbury headquarters, discusses the current state of handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation.

Part II of our conversation with David Clases focused on his proof-of-concept analysis of microplastic and TiO₂ nanoparticles, and the new insights that emerged from simultaneously accessing size, molecular identity, and elemental composition at the single-particle level.

Returned samples from asteroid Bennu by the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission were analyzed using complementary spectroscopic and microspectroscopic techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy (μFTIR), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), revealing a previously unknown polymeric organic phase enriched in nitrogen and oxygen. Spectroscopy spoke to Scott Sandford and Michel Nuevo of NASA’s Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, California), and Zack Gainsforth of the University of California’s Space Sciences Laboratory (Berkeley, California), three of the authors of the paper (1) resulting from the research team’s analysis.

Top articles published this week include several interviews from our ongoing coverage of the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry and an inside look at an upcoming Pittcon 2026 symposium about generative AI.

In this video segment, Sarah Theiner explains why using LA-ICP-TOF-MS was the ideal technique for this research compared to more conventional methods. She also touches upon how the findings from her study could inform the design of future chemotherapies and combination treatments.

In this interview clip, David Clasas of the University of Graz discusses the trapping mechanism of the OF2i and how it improves downstream Raman and ICP-TOFMS measurements and also highlights the multimodal approach his team used to improve microplastic analysis.

In the final part of our conversation with Ken Marcus, he discusses how external acquisition systems enhance isotopic precision and what spectroscopic trends experts should be paying attention to in 2026.

In this “Pathways in Spectroscopy” episode, Sarah Theiner discusses what her career transition from research to sales was like, and how her experience at the University of Vienna prepared her for the rigors of her new role at Nu Instruments.

Specac Ltd, a global provider of spectroscopy accessories and sample preparation solutions, has announced the acquisition of Amax Precision Ltd, a Singapore-headquartered company that specializes in high-precision analytical instrument manufacturing.

In this video segment, Sarah Theiner dives into the research that she conducted at the University of Vienna, which focused on how chemoresistance affects drug distribution in the tumor microenvironment.

In the final part of our conversation with Martin Resano, he discusses how the use of partial least squares (PLS) regression improves the quality of the isotopic analysis data.

In this interview clip, we turn the focus to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in spectroscopy, and Alex Scheeline discusses how AI and ML will enhance SIBS and LIBS calibration.

For Pittcon 2026, the James L. Waters Symposium, scheduled for Monday, March 9, from 2:30 to 4:40 p.m. in Room 221A, turns its focus on Generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems in analytical chemistry, which are increasingly being used for analytical data interpretation, algorithm development, experimental planning, and scientific communication. This article introduces the general concepts of generative AI and its use in spectroscopy.

In the below video segment, we shifted our focus to the future, with Anika Retzmann of the University of Calgary giving her thoughts about what emerging applications will benefit the most from high-precision metal isotope analysis of biological systems.

In the second part of our conversation with Ken Marcus, he discusses the parameters that are most influential in enhancing Nd isotope ratio measurements, and the implications of monitoring oxide species rather than atomic ions for isotope ratio analysis, and the benefits and challenges of this approach.

In the lead-up to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Conference, we reflect on some of the most pertinent ongoing trends in forensic analysis.

Top articles published this week include an exclusive interview about using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyze chemical warfare agents.

In this video segment, Martin Resano of the University of Zaragoza talks about the challenges and advancements in obtaining isotopic information using atomic spectroscopy.

In the second part of our interview, Alex Scheeline discuss the current trends in SIBS and LIBS, and some of his observations from reading the recent literature on the subject.

In this interview clip, Anika Retzmann of the University of Calgary dives more deeply into the utility of multi-collector microwave inductively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma mass spectrometry (MC-MICAP-MS) for isotopic analysis.

Spectroscopy is excited to announce the launch of “Pathways in Spectroscopy,” a new video series dedicated to showcasing the experiences, insights, and career journeys of emerging leaders and young scientists across the spectroscopy community.

In the final part of our conversation with Spiros Pergantis, an analytical chemist and Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Crete, he discusses some of the top trends that spectroscopists should be paying attention to in 2026.

In this video segment, Anika Retzmann explains how developing fully automated analyte purification procedures helps improve data quality and reproducibility compared to traditional approaches.

The 2026 James L. Waters Annual Symposium at Pittcon will focus on the integration of generative AI into analytical chemistry, examining how large language models and AI tools can support method development, data analysis, and chemical measurement while maintaining scientific rigor, validation, and interpretability. Continuing its decades-long tradition of connecting historical perspective with emerging technologies, the symposium will feature presentations from leading chemists and spectroscopists, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of responsibly incorporating AI into chemical measurement science.

In this article, we illustrate how automated calibration systems and sophisticated algorithms are transforming chemical data into actionable knowledge.

In this edition of “Inside the Laboratory,” Martin Resano, a Coordinator of the Rapid Analysis Methods with Spectroscopic Techniques (MARTE) group and as part of the Aragon Institute for Engineering Research (I3A) at the University of Zaragoza, discusses how compressed sensing spectroscopic techniques are used in his laboratory.