Protein Secondary Structure Imaging with Ultrabroadband Multiplex Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) Microspectroscopy

Abstract

Protein secondary structures in human hair have been studied with ultrabroadband multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy. The CARS peak-shift mapping method has been developed and applied to hair samples with and without treatments by chemical reduction and mechanical extension. It clearly visualizes the treatment induced changes in protein secondary structures and their spatial distributions. Using the new imaging technique, we found a multilayered structure in the human hair cortex.