Method of grading disease by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

摘要

The infrared spectrum of cells or tissues in the frequency range 900cm⁻¹-1750cm⁻¹ is digitally separated by the method of the invention into the component contributions by protein, RNA and DNA. By comparing the relative sizes of the component spectra, relative quantities of these components can be specified. The ratios protein/DNA and RNA/DNA can be used to quantify the degree of cellular biosynthesis for the purpose of grading the aggressiveness of cancer cells. The ratio nucleic acid/protein may be used to measure the nuclear cell content of blood for the purpose of quantifying the degree of systemic inflammation. The advantage of the method is in its' minimal sample size requirement and low cost.