Raman Scattering Helps Ensure Safety of Stem Cell Therapies

A research team at Rutgers University has developed a biosensor technology that could benefit applications for the treatment of neurological disorders through stem cell therapy. The hybrid biosensing platform consists of an array of ultrathin graphene layers and gold nanostructures. This platform has been combined with Raman spectroscopy to detect genes and characterize different kinds of stem cells with greater reliability, selectivity, and sensitivity. Because stem cells can become many different types of cells, stem cell therapy shows promise for regenerative treatment of neurological disorders in which diseased cells require replacement or repair. However, a way to characterize stem cells and control their fate is needed. ...