Rohit Bhargava, an IIT-Delhi alumnus, has developed the label-free chemical imaging in Illinois to provide the same information as molecular stains.

Instead of using stains, the new method measures the chemical constitution of cells and tissues directly.
The outcome is that molecular stains can be reproduced without staining the tissue but by using the intrinsic molecular contrast of the tissue and computation.
The study relies on computation instead of staining to provide biopsy images.
"Infrared and optical imaging seemed to be distinct modes for getting important data in pathology. This study shows a close link between the two, allowing the user to choose the best method to address their needs," Bhargava commented in a university statement.
Thus, any sample can be stained for desired stains without material cost, time or effort while leaving precious tissue pristine for downstream analysis.
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"The development of this approach promises to have immediate and long-term impact in changing pathology to a multiplexed molecular science in both research and clinical practice," the authors noted.
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