FTIR spectroscopic imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for characterization of biomedical samples. This talk will outline the research we are developing in this area with focus on ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection)-FTIR spectroscopic imaging (1) and its emerging biomedical applications (2). Chemical visualization with enhanced spatial resolution in micro ATR imaging mode broadens the range of samples (cross sections of blood vessels or hair, surface of skin, single cells, pharmaceutical tablets, etc.) amenable to study with FTIR imaging which were previously ruled out by the inadequate spatial resolution. Recent developments in macro ATR imaging with the use of inverted prism crystals show good potentioal with applications to depth profiling of materials, dynamic process in biomedical systems, protein crystallization and imaging of flows in microfluid.
  While the micro ATR imaging approach provides the highest spatial resolution achieved with FTIR spectroscopic imaging transmission mode still remains as the most common sampling method for imaging of biomedical samples, such as tissues and cells. We developed a relatively simple method of eliminating the effects of refraction and dispersion which are encountered in FTIR spectroscopic imaging in transmission. This powerful approach may be beneficial for FTIR spectroscopic imaging in transmission for the study of biological and liquid samples.

(1) Kazarian, S.G, Chan K.L.A. "Micro- and macro-attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging" Appplied Spectroscopy 64 (2020) 135A-152A.
(2) Kazarian S.G, Chan K>L.A., "ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging rrecent advances and applications to biological systems" Analyst (2013) 138, 1940-1951.