From Spectra to Clinical Insight: Raman Spectroscopy in Kidney Transplant Monitoring and Donor Assessment

Abstract Purpose of Review Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are analytical techniques for non-invasive assessment of kidney transplant health. By producing molecular fingerprints through inelastic light scattering, they’re able to detect biochemical changes associated with graft injury, immune activation, and other relevant pathophysiological changes. This review synthesizes current evidence of Raman-based techniques across three key domains in kidney transplantation: transplant monitoring, donor organ assessment, and evaluation of alloreactive immune activation. Recent Findings Recent studies demonstrate that SERS can be applied to biofluids and can accurately distinguish between transplant states. Additionally, Raman-based analyses of donor-derived samples show potential for predicting transplant outcomes and identifying viable organs despite high-risk features. It has also been shown to differentiate between activated and non-activated T lymphocytes. Summary Raman spectroscopy and SERS represent powerful, non-invasive approaches that have the potential to reduce the reliance on invasive biopsy.