Chapter 15 - Recent advances in Raman spectroscopy of proteins for disease diagnosis

Abstract

Proteins are one of the most important building blocks of life and any change in either protein expression or its structure leads to disease. Therefore proteins play a central role as markers in disease diagnosis. On the other hand, Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a powerful vibrational spectroscopic technique that can provide molecular level information from biological samples such as cells, tissues, and organs. It has been touted to have potential for rapid and noninvasive disease diagnosis in an objective manner and hence is considered as a promising nonbioptic alternative to reduce burden on patients. In this chapter, we introduced multivariate curve resolution—alternating least squares analysis— and attempt to summarize recent advancements in RS of proteins for disease diagnosis with a major focus on the top three noncommunicable diseases: cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Particularly amide I and amide III bands of proteins, protein/lipid ratios, collagen and its modifications, keratin and cytochromes, etc. serve as spectral markers for diagnostic purposes.