In Vivo Real Time Raman Spectroscopy Detection Of Carbon Nanotube Kinetics In Lymph, Blood And Tissues

The development of novel therapies using unique nanostructures for molecular targeting has become a major area of biological research. Here, we present the first report of the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as high contrast agents for time-resolved Raman spectroscopy with ultra-fast spectral acquisition times to study their absorption and distribution kinetics in lymph, blood, and tissues in live animals. Our results suggest that the strong and specific CNTs Raman scattering properties provide means for noninvasive Raman flow cytometry to analyze the in vivo CNTs pharmokinetics. Moreover, the biodistribution in lymph, blood and tissues were successfully analyzed using this technique with potential for blood and lymph analysis and to track, in real time, drugs in tissues.