Combining IR spectroscopy with fluorescence imaging in a single microscope: Biomedical applications using a synchrotron infrared source (invited)

Abstract
It has become increasingly clear that infrared microspectroscopy (IRMS) can be an extremely valuable analysis tool when determining the chemical composition of biological and biomedical samples. Frequently, fluorescence illumination is required for sample characterization, and is usually achieved on a separate and dedicated optical microscope. We report the development and use of a single microscope for concomitant fluorescence and synchrotron IRMS. This unique combination has been used to identify changes in the composition of newly remodeled bone after the onset of osteoporosis, misfolded protein structure in Alzheimer’s disease, and cellular changes in apoptosis.