Advanced Raman assisted metabolic labelling: an impending approach for exploring metabolites in cellular biosynthetic processes

Abstract

Metabolic labelling has become essential in revealing the complex characteristics of metabolite activity and the metabolic processes within cells. When coupled with non-destructive, ultra-sensitive Raman spectroscopy, it enables the visualization and identification of specific biomolecules within cells, allowing for the study of complex biological processes at the molecular level. This review delves into the recent advanced Raman-assisted metabolic labelling strategies for different biosynthetic steps through detecting metabolites in the cellular milieu. Furthermore, we emphasize their application in metabolic processes using different Raman techniques. Finally, this discussion delineates the obstacles and charts the prospective trajectories within this nascent domain, aiming to realize secure, effective, and broadly applicable therapeutic strategies.