Background
Conventional Raman spectroscopy is often limited in real-world research applications due to strong fluorescence interference, which can obscure weak Raman signals and reduce data reliability. The University of Helsinki needed a more robust analytical approach to support advanced materials research under these challenging conditions.
The fruitful and long-lasting collaboration with the University of Helsinki began due to a genuine need for a technology that could solve the challenge of fluorescence in molecular research within the pharmaceutical field. The University of Helsinki has been our loyal customer since the early days of our life cycle.
Solution
The university implemented Timegated® Raman spectroscopy, which separates the short-lived Raman signal from longer-lived fluorescence and background emission. This enables high-quality spectral data acquisition even from complex or highly fluorescent samples, improving analytical performance in demanding research environments.
Throughout this period, the key person has been Professor Marjo Yliperttula, the leader of the Biopharmaceutics research group, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, the University of Helsinki. Throughout her career, she has maintained a particular interest in studying extracellular vesicles.
''With time-gated Raman spectrometer, we have succeeded in detecting the Raman spectra of the fluorescent molecules. In addition, we were able to distinguish the extracellular vesicles (EVs) from different cellular origins based on their Raman spectra and principal component analyses, which was not achievable earlier with continuous-wave Raman spectroscopy'', Yliperttula states.
Results
The research group has conducted successful pioneering research using Timegated® Raman spectroscopy including:
- Fluorescence-suppressed time-resolved Raman spectroscopy of pharmaceuticals using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector
- Label-free characterization and real-time monitoring of cell uptake of extracellular vesicles
- Drug diffusivities in nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel by combined time-resolved Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy
- Cellulase-assisted platelet-rich plasma release from nanofibrillated cellulose hydrogel enhances wound healing
Timegated Raman significantly improved measurement reliability and enabled successful analysis in cases where conventional Raman methods were not effective. Researchers benefited from clearer spectra, more consistent results, and expanded applicability across materials research workflows.
Additionally, Marjo contributed/mentored Tatu Rojalin's and Jacopo Zini's the PhD thesis in which the new application of spectroscopy technique, in particular Timegated® (TG) Raman, in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical fields are investigated.
