Life Science

High resolution imaging of protein structures

Why O-PTIR for life science research?

The mIRage-LS platform is revolutionizing life science research by uniquely enabling submicron, sub-cellular label-free chemical imaging via the breakthrough technique of multimodal O-PTIR with simultaneous Raman and co-located fluorescence microscopy.

Highest optical resolution IR spectroscopy achieving <500 nm resolution on biomolecular structures providing unique insights of molecular chemical structures
Co-located with fluorescence microscopy to quickly identify biomolecular structures of interest and subsequent IR resolution microscopy and spectroscopy
Investigate a wide range of life science samples, from single bacterial cells, tissues (hard and soft) to eukaryotic cells and their sub-cellular features, in both dried and hydrated states

Time-resolved imaging of amyloid structures in living tissue at submicron resolution

(A-C) Single-frequency O-PTIR maps of the same spot in living brain tissue at time 0 and time 10 min.

(A) Change of β-sheet structure distribution over time, calculated as a ratio of 1630 cm^–1 (the main β-sheet band) to 1656 cm^–1 signal (Amide I maximum). Lower panel, white arrows indicate newly formed β-sheet structures.

(B) Change of distribution of fibrillar β-sheet structures over time, calculated as a ratio of 1680 cm^–1 (antiparallel β-sheets) to 1656 cm^–1 intensity. Lower panel, white arrows indicate newly formed antiparallel β-sheets.

(C) Change in lipid oxidation over time, calculated as a ratio of 1740 cm^–1 (R-CO-OR groups) to 1656 cm^–1 intensity. Lower panel, white arrows indicate new spots of lipid oxidation. (D) Overlay of (A-C) single-frequency IR maps, white arrows indicate colocalization of newly formed antiparallel β-sheets and oxidized lipids. The scale bar is the same for (A-D).

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 45, 24796–24808. Open Access

Protein specific imaging with O-PTIR and co-located Fluorescence microscopy

Imaging amyloid plaques in brain tissue by FL-OPTIR.
(a) Fluorescent image of brain tissue with amyloid plaques labeled with Amytracker S20, overview.
(b) Zoom on to the amyloid plaque stained with Amytracker.
(c) O-PTIR Map demonstrating the distribution of β-sheet structures as a ratio of the bands at 1630–1656 cm⁻¹ in the plaque shown in panel (b).
(d) Averaged and normalized FL-OPTIR spectra were recorded from the outside, core, and plaque corona; the spectra locations were indicated by the markers of the corresponding color on the inset.
(e) Comparison of representative IR spectra on brain tissue (black) and Amytracker fluorescent dye (red). Error bars in panels (d) and (e) represent standard deviation.

New Insights into β-Sheet Structures and Carotenoid Associations in Alzheimer’s Disease

Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation drives Alzheimer’s disease, yet understanding the chemistry of amyloid plaques remains challenging. This study uses Raman microspectroscopy to identify carotenoids in plaques and reveal their correlation with β-sheet-rich protein structures.

Optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy confirms these findings, showing elevated β-sheets in carotenoid-containing plaques but not in noncarotenoid plaques. These results suggest a link between anti-inflammatory carotenoids and specific secondary structural motifs in Aβ plaques, highlighting their potential role in neuroinflammation.

The study provides new insights into chemically distinct plaques and may inform therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.

Publication:

Lipid mediated formation of antiparallel aggregates in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Webinar:

Alzheimer’s Disease Research with Sub-micron Simultaneous IR+Raman: Co-localization of Beta-Sheets and Carotenoids in Aggregates

Publication:

Strain-Distinct α-Synuclein and Tau Cross-Seeding Uncovered by Correlative Approach with Optical Photothermal Infrared SubMicron Imaging

Webinars

Life Science | Microplastics

Nanoplastic-induced protein misfolding – A submicron IR study of molecular changes in biological systems

In this webinar, Assoc. Prof. Oxana Klementieva will present new findings based on her recent paper: Polystyrene nanoplastic exposure promotes amyloid misfolding and metabolic impairment at sublethal doses. A subcellular infrared imaging study.

Life Science | Microplastics

Overcoming Raman microscopy challenges in microplastics and life sciences

Raman microscopy is widely used for chemical identification and chemical imaging, yet many real-world organic samples remain difficult to analyze with Raman. Biological tissues, cells, and environmental microplastic samples often exhibit strong fluorescence backgrounds, while weak scattering limits sensitivity. This webinar will discuss a breakthrough new sub-500nm IR spectroscopy technique called Optical photothermal IR spectroscopy (O-PTIR).

Life Science

Simultaneous submicron IR (O-PTIR) and SERS imaging for label-free cancer cell classification

Discover how combining O-PTIR and SERS enables complementary biochemical imaging at the submicron scale for accurate, label-free cancer cell classification. Prof. Schultz will demonstrate how co-registered infrared and surface-enhanced Raman measurements reveal cellular heterogeneity and biochemical signatures that distinguish cancer cell subpopulations—overcoming traditional limits of IR diffraction and Raman sensitivity.

Life Science

Seconds, not hours: laser-scanning submicron IR imaging is here

Meet mIRage-HSi, the next evolution of Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) imaging, powered by laser-scanning optics for unmatched speed and productivity. Delivering FTIR transmission/ATR-like spectra at <500 nm spatial resolution, mIRage-HSi enables hyperspectral IR imaging in minutes and single-wavelength images in seconds — all in a non-contact, reflection-mode format with no spectral scattering artifacts.

Life Science

PhotoThermal SRS: Faster, more sensitive and robust Stimulated Raman Scattering imaging

Join Prof. Ji-Xin Cheng (Boston University), alongside our CTO Dr. Craig Prater in introducing stRAMos, our new high-speed imaging system powered by Photothermal Stimulated Raman Scattering (PT-SRS). With sub-300 nm resolution, ultrafast tuning, and live-cell compatibility, stRAMos delivers up to 10× higher sensitivity than conventional SRS—while supporting flexible formats from multi-well plates to thick tissues.

Life Science | Microplastics

Seeing the particles that matter: Submicron IR + Raman for real-world particulates

Why O-PTIR Is the Only Routine Tool for Accurate Particulate Characterization Below 10 Microns. Join us for a groundbreaking webinar on how optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR)—with simultaneous Raman and co-located fluorescence—uniquely enables routine, label-free, high-resolution vibrational spectroscopy of submicron and even sub-500 nm particles.

Need more information?

Discover how O-PTIR technology can elevate your research or help solve your toughest challenges. Our team are happy to assist and answer your questions.