Photonics West 2021: Raman techniques assist biomedical analysis 09 Mar 2021 Jürgen Popp expects the detection abilities of Raman to enhance patient care and public health. Raman and Lab-on-a-chip: rapid sample throughput New applications of Raman spectroscopy and associated detection schemes are poised to enhance bedside care for patients and tackle a number of current challenges outside medicine. Addressing the SPIE Photonics West Digital Forum, Jürgen Popp of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) outlined recent developments in Raman-related spectroscopy, along with the prospects for translation of the technology into real-world applications. Popp discussed four specific and currently unmet needs: better monitoring of drug efficacy at the patient's bedside; the ability to detect pathogens spectroscopically without the need for labeling of those species; better measurement of water contaminants as a way to improve public health; and early stage detection of cell agglomerates in the body for the prevention of strokes or cardiovascular disease.