Investigating Spectral Biomarker Candidates for Migratory Potential in Cancer Cells Using Micro-FTIR and O-PTIR Spectroscopy - UTU Research Portal

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Investigating Spectral Biomarker Candidates for Migratory Potential in Cancer Cells Using Micro-FTIR and O-PTIR Spectroscopy

Authors: Holub, Elisabeth; Hondl, Nikolaus; Lin, Kai-Lan; Parikainen, Marjaana; Sahlgren, Cecilia; Lendl, Bernhard; Ramer, Georg

Publication year: 2026

Journal: ACS Measurement Science Au

Article number: acsmeasuresciau.5c00132

Volume: 6

Issue: 1

First page : 96

Last page: 106

eISSN: 2694-250X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.5c00132

Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access

Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.5c00132

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/509011739

Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY

Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF

Abstract

Routine diagnostic practice for cancer and metastasis relies on a time-consuming staining process and the use of antibodies to detect selected molecular markers and is hence limited by a lack of real-time data and the availability of molecular information. Against this background, techniques based on rapid chemical analysis to identify migratory properties are highly desirable. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy has a long history in the label-free identification of infrared marker bands for cancer detection. However, it requires extensive postprocessing of the acquired spectra, is of limited suitability for analysis in aqueous environments, and has poor spatial resolution. To overcome these challenges, we are using a new method termed Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy to detect local absorption to establish potential IR tumor markers and classification models. We report on experimental outcomes using machine learning and FTIR microspectroscopy for the classification of cells and the analysis of spectral features reflecting cancer and migratory properties, comparing a commercial FTIR microspectrometer to a custom-built O-PTIR instrument dedicated to spectroscopic measurement and imaging in microfluidic channels.

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Funding information in the publication:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program within the research project “Tumor-LN-oC” under grant agreement no. 953234. The financial support by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy, the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development and the Christian Doppler Research Association is gratefully acknowledged. The research has also been supported by the Research Council of Finland under decision numbers #307133 and #337531/#357911/#359346 (InFLAMES Flagship Programme) as well as Cancer Foundation Finland sr, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, and the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland. The authors acknowledge TU Wien Bibliothek for financial support through its Open Access Funding Program. This research was funded in whole or in part by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) [10.55776/COE7].