Quantitative Drug Imaging in Living Cells using Advanced Raman Imaging Microscopy.

Scientists involved in pharmaceutical drug discovery need a quantitative imaging technique that will locate the drug and the target, ideally in a living cell. Currently Mass Spectrometry is widely used for drug imaging in frozen cells in an ultra-tight vacuum; however, quantification of such measurements is very difficult. We propose to quantify the amount of drug substance in a living cell using advanced Raman scattering techniques such as stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) that will use near infra-red lasers to image the cells with <1um spatial resolution without hampering the regular cellular functions, and spectroscopic Raman methods to confirm the measurements. The methods will facilitate early detection of failure of a drug, saving significant cost and accelerate assessment of efficacy of drug uptake.