Molecular characterization of stem cell differentiation and oocyte maturation using synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy/Raman imaging

Technology to investigate the molecular structure of single cells is of paramount importance in the new and burgeoning field of stem cell research. We have developed infrared based technology to non-destructively probe the molecular architecture of single cells. We plan to further advance these methods by combining them with spectral enhancement and imaging techniques to investigate the maturation status of oocytes and to assist in the identification of molecular differentiation markers in embryonic stem cells. These studies may have important implications for in vitro fertilization protocols and for stem cell transplantation for disease cures including neurodegenerative diseases and spinal chord injuries