In a recent study, a research team from China used Raman spectroscopy to uncover serum biomarkers for aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
A recent study conducted by researchers from China uncovered potential serum biomarkers for bone marrow failure (BMF) diseases. In the study, which was published in the journal Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, the researchers used Raman spectroscopy to discover possible serum biomarkers that could be used to help detect BMF diseases such as aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (1).
The study involved analyzing serum samples from 35 AA patients, 25 MDS patients, and 23 control volunteers (1). By utilizing laser Raman spectroscopy coupled with orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA), the researchers aimed to establish a reliable method for distinguishing between BMF patients and healthy individuals (1).
When compared to the control group, BMF patients exhibited distinct serum spectral patterns. Notably, the intensities of Raman peaks associated with nucleic acids, proteins, phospholipids (cholesterol), and β-carotene decreased significantly, while lipid-related peaks saw an increase (1). Differences were observed between the AA and MDS groups as well, with specific Raman peaks showing significant variations (1).
What makes this study unique is that it is, according to the researchers’, the first time Raman spectroscopy has been applied to analyze sera from BMF patients (1). The analysis revealed specific biomolecular differences that may reflect metabolic changes in these patients (1). These differences could serve as valuable biomarkers for early detection and subtyping of BMF, AA, and MDS, which could have positive effects in the medical field in treating these types of diseases (1).
The study also delved into the association between Raman peaks and serological markers. Notably, glycolipid metabolism-related serological markers were strongly linked to specific Raman peaks, suggesting a potential connection with triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and glucose levels (1). This association opens up new avenues for understanding disease mechanisms and prognosis in BMF patients (1).
However, the study's small sample size warrants further investigation. Because there are not many BMF patients, the sample size for this study was relatively small. As a result, a more comprehensive study would be needed to determine how effective Raman spectroscopy could be as a clinical application for BMF detection and screening (1).
In conclusion, this study showcases the promising potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive method for detecting and subtyping BMF, AA, and MDS. The researchers found that by using OPLS-DA, AA and MDS subtypes can be distinguished from another (1). As research in this field continues to advance, the hope is that the findings in this study could be used to improve detection of BMF disorders in patients.
(1) Liang, H.; Kong, X.; Ren, Y.; Wang, H.; Liu, E.; Sun, F.; Zhu, G.; Zhang, Q.; Zhou, Y. Application of serum Raman spectroscopy in rapid and early discrimination of aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc. 2023, 302, 123008. DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123008
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence and has been edited to ensure accuracy and clarity. You can read more about our policy for using AI here.
A Review of the Latest Spectroscopic Research in Agriculture Analysis
September 4th 2024Spectroscopic analytical techniques are crucial for the analysis of agricultural products. This review emphasizes the latest advancements in several key spectroscopic methods, including atomic, vibrational, molecular, electronic, and X-ray techniques. The applications of these analytical methods in detecting important quality parameters, adulteration, insects and rodent infestation, ripening, and other essential applications are discussed.
Nanometer-Scale Studies Using Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
February 8th 2013Volker Deckert, the winner of the 2013 Charles Mann Award, is advancing the use of tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to push the lateral resolution of vibrational spectroscopy well below the Abbe limit, to achieve single-molecule sensitivity. Because the tip can be moved with sub-nanometer precision, structural information with unmatched spatial resolution can be achieved without the need of specific labels.
New Fiber-Dispersive Raman Spectrometer Breaks Ground in Spaceborne Biomarker Detection
August 21st 2024Researchers from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have developed a cutting-edge fiber-dispersive Raman spectrometer (FDRS) capable of detecting low-density biological matter in space. By combining a single-photon detector with a dispersive optical fiber element, the team achieved a breakthrough in in-situ Raman spectroscopy, promising unprecedented sensitivity and reliability in the search for extraterrestrial rudimentary life.