Application of Raman in Biology

“Though Raman Effect has been discovered over 80 years, it is only recently the Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has revolutionized the use of Raman in biological systems to the extent that one can look at the proteins, interactions of proteins with potential drug molecule and detect traces of protein or nucleic acids.  In fact to perfect this technique, it requires the knowledge of all three sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. It is a bold attempt to take the audience through a journey of unchartered territories. Various groups around the world have been using this and developing technologies which would revolutionize the field of nanobiotechnology itself.  The group at JNCASR has been looking at two aspects out of the many possibilities.  The first set of problems involves looking at structural modifications in protein using SERS and interaction of the potential drug to give insight into the drug synthesis and the second is to use SERS as a replacement for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnostics.   The talk would give a general introduction to Raman and SERS and then go on to dwell upon our recent results related to SERS based inferences which would be potentially helpful in applications in pharmaceutical industries.  The talk would also provide a prelude to single molecular spectroscopy by demonstrating the ability of Raman to compete with fluorescence as a possible prospective candidate for diagnostics.”