High-Throughput Molecular Imaging via Deep-Learning-Enabled Raman Spectroscopy

Anal Chem. 2021 Dec 7;93(48):15850-15860. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02178. Epub 2021 Nov 19.

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy enables nondestructive, label-free imaging with unprecedented molecular contrast, but is limited by slow data acquisition, largely preventing high-throughput imaging applications. Here, we present a comprehensive framework for higher-throughput molecular imaging via deep-learning-enabled Raman spectroscopy, termed DeepeR, trained on a large data set of hyperspectral Raman images, with over 1.5 million spectra (400 h of acquisition) in total. We first perform denoising and reconstruction of low signal-to-noise ratio Raman molecular signatures via deep learning, with a 10× improvement in the mean-squared error over common Raman filtering methods. Next, we develop a neural network for robust 2-4× spatial super-resolution of hyperspectral Raman images that preserve molecular cellular information. Combining these approaches, we achieve Raman imaging speed-ups of up to 40-90×, enabling good-quality cellular imaging with a high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio in under 1 min. We further demonstrate Raman imaging speed-up of 160×, useful for lower resolution imaging applications such as the rapid screening of large areas or for spectral pathology. Finally, transfer learning is applied to extend DeepeR from cell to tissue-scale imaging. DeepeR provides a foundation that will enable a host of higher-throughput Raman spectroscopy and molecular imaging applications across biomedicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Deep Learning*
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman*