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Because cells are heterogeneous materials appearing in many sizes and containing many different elements depending on the model, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is often used to conduct element analysis of single cells. Maria Montes-Bayón of the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Oviedo (Asturias, Spain) has been working with single cell ICP-MS (sc-ICP-MS) to study the uptake and apoptotic status of nanoplatinum (IV) treated cells, specifically selenized yeast. Montes-Bayón recently spoke to Spectroscopy about this work.

Toward Normalization of Quantitative Single Cell ICP-MS Experiments

Although milk is considered among the most complete and nutrition-rich natural foods, the concentration of vitamins and minerals in milk can vary depending on a variety of circumstances. Stelios Couris of the University of Patras and the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (Patras, Greece) has been studying the inorganic elemental composition of a variety of milk samples using LIBS and spoke to Spectroscopy about this research.

Analysis of the Inorganic Content of Milk via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Combining multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (MCARS) microscopy with automated data processing enables a simple and more accessible method for label-free bioimaging.

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Cell Imaging and Segmentation with Unsupervised Data Analysis

Zac Schultz, a professor at the Ohio State University, and his graduate student Hannah Schorr, are working on the use of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the differentiation of glycans. Schultz and Schorr spoke to Spectroscopy about this work. 

Differentiating Glycans by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Recently, at the 2022 SciX conference in Covington, Kentucky, Beatriz Fernandez, who is an Associate Professor at the University of Oviedo in Spain, presented, as part of the Technical Program, a discussion regarding the determination of proteins in single cells by ICP-MS using metal nanoclusters as labels of specific recognition reactions. Fernandez spoke to Spectroscopy about her presentation. 

Determination of Proteins in Single Cells by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry Using Metal Nanoclusters as Labels of Specific-Recognition Reactions

Harishchandra Singh, Graham King and associates have employed high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction (HE-SXRD) experiments and an analytical model in order to predict the yield strength of cerium-modified super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) subjected to various cold- and cryo-deformation. Spectroscopy recently had the opportunity to discuss the experiments and the findings with Singh and King.

Quantitative Prediction of Yield Strength of Highly Alloyed Complex Steel Using High Energy Synchrotron X-Ray Diffractometry

In the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), a contagious disease that causes 1.5 million deaths per year globally, early diagnosis is critical in order to control its spread. Unfortunately, standard tuberculosis diagnostic tests, such as sputum culture, can take days to weeks to yield results. In a recent paper, Ubaid Ullah of the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering in Pakistan and his colleagues demonstrate a quick, portable, easy-to-use, and non-invasive optical sensor based on sputum samples for tuberculosis detection using Raman spectroscopy to detect TB in a patient’s sputum supernatant. Ullah spoke to Spectroscopy about this sensor and its development.

Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning-Based Optical Probe for Tuberculosis Diagnosis via Sputum 

While the tracing product origin by the analysis of their multi-element composition has been successfully applied in several commodities, the potential for doing the same with timber has not yet been determined. Laura Boeschoten and her team studied the reactive soil element pools and the multi-elemental composition in sapwood and heartwood for 37 Azobé (Lophira alata) trees at two forest sites in Cameroon, measuring 46 elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and conducted the first study relating wood multi-elemental composition of forest trees to soil chemical and physical properties in an effort to combat the illegal trade of timber. Laura spoke to Spectroscopy about this study and the technique’s potential.

Clay and Soil Organic Matter Drive Wood Multi-Elemental Composition of a Tropical Tree Species: Implications for Timber Tracing

Some macrofungal species are known for their ability to accumulate high concentrations of mercury in their fruit bodies. A recent paper by Simone Braeuer and colleagues of the University of Graz (Austria) and Ghent University (Belgium) discusses an efficient method developed for quantitative mapping of mercury and selenium in mushroom fruit bodies via laser ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry with excellent limits of detection and high spatial resolution (down to 5 µm). Braeuer spoke to Spectroscopy about this paper. 

Quantitative Mapping of Mercury and Selenium in Mushroom Fruit Bodies with Laser Ablation–Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry  

Karen Faulds of the University of Strathclyde co-authored a paper where SESORS signals could be detected from nanotags at depths down to 48 mm for the first time using a handheld spatially offset Raman (SORS) instrument. She recently spoke to Spectroscopy about this and some of her other papers and the advances in the science that made them possible. Faulds is the 2022 recipient of the RSC Analytical Division Mid-Career Award. This interview is part of an ongoing series of interviews with the winners of awards that are presented at the annual SciX conference, which will be held this year from October 2 through October 7, in Covington, Kentucky.

Spectroscopy Interviews