Detecting 'Neurotransmitters in the Brain' Using CDMA Integration

Development of Digital Raman Spectroscopy Technology for Ultra-Sensitive Biomolecular Detection
Expected Applications in Various Molecular Diagnostics, Drug and Cancer Treatment Monitoring, and Mobile Healthcare Devices

Conceptual Diagram of Reverse Diffusion Raman Spectroscopy Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A technology capable of identifying molecules with high sensitivity through spread spectrum technology in the telecommunications field has been developed. Using this technology, the research team detected neurotransmitters produced by brain cells at the atto mole (10^-18 mole) concentration level, and it is expected to be useful in fields requiring high-sensitivity molecular detection such as biochemicals, viruses, and new drug evaluation.

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 15th that Professor Kihoon Jung’s research team from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering has developed the world’s first digital code Raman spectroscopy technology that improves the signal-to-noise ratio, a technical barrier in optical detection of biomolecules, by more than 1000 times and enhances the detection limit to the atto mole level, which is one billion times better than existing methods. The research results were recently published in the international journal Nature Communications.

Spectrum measuring dopamine and acetylcholine using surface-enhanced Raman scattering technology

The research team applied the well-known spread spectrum technology (CDMA) from the telecommunications field to the Raman spectroscopy detection method of biomolecular compounds for the first time in the world. By doing so, all noise signals are removed using a digitally coded laser source, and the high-purity Raman spectral signals of biochemicals are restored, enabling accurate analysis of ultra-low concentration biomolecular compounds without fluorescent labeling. Raman spectroscopy is a method to identify the type of molecule by irradiating a laser on a specific molecule and detecting the energy absorbed corresponding to the difference in the molecule’s electronic energy levels.

Using the developed device, the research team detected five types of neurotransmitters without any labeling at the atto mole concentration. They reported that the detection limit was improved by a factor of one billion (10^9) and the signal-to-noise ratio increased by more than 1000 times. Existing detection technologies have detection limits at the nanomole (10^-9 mole) level or higher due to low signal-to-noise ratios, and the sample pretreatment process is complicated and measurement times are long.

First author Wonkyung Lee, a doctoral candidate, said, "We proposed the next-generation digital code Raman spectroscopy technology incorporating spread spectrum technology for the first time, overcoming the barriers of existing biomolecular detection technologies and dramatically improving the detection limits for neurotransmitters compared to existing methods."

Professor Kihoon Jung explained, "Based on these results, if miniaturization for portability is pursued in the future, it will enable low-cost, label-free, ultra-high sensitivity biomolecular analysis and rapid on-site diagnosis. It can be widely applied not only to neurotransmitter detection but also to various biochemical detection, virus detection, and new drug evaluation fields."

Spectrum measured by band-expanded Raman spectroscopy at various concentrations of dopamine and acetylcholine

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