Pittcon 2025: Preview the Symposium on AI and Vibrational Spectroscopy

Pittcon 2025 is almost here.

In less than a week, industry suppliers, researchers, industry professionals, and others will gather in the Boston Convention and Exposition Center, in Boston, Massachusetts, to learn about the latest trends and technologies in laboratory science.

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On the spectroscopy side, many of the sessions will focus on the advancements made in atomic and vibrational spectroscopy. This will include extensive discussions about the latest technologies and their applications in various disciplines, including forensics, bioanalysis, and biomedicine.

Igor Lednev, a professor at the University at Albany, spoke with Spectroscopy about two symposia that he helped organize for the conference. The first focuses on artificial intelligence (AI). This symposium, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Vibrational Spectroscopy: From the Cutting-edge Research to Practical Applications,” will explore the latest advancements in vibrational spectroscopy, including infrared (IR), near-infrared (NIR), and Raman spectroscopy, as powerful bioanalytical tools (2). These nondestructive and highly sensitive techniques enable real-time and in situ analysis of biological samples, with applications in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, forensics, and security (2).

Some of the most impactful technological innovations include the development of portable spectrometers as well as enhanced imaging (2). The industry is also seeing ongoing challenges in data interpretation and biomolecule quantification in complex matrices (2). These challenges are a reason why the industry is seeing increased motivation in applying AI into workflows. Using AI for tasks such as data analysis and interpretation results in valuable time savings.

The first talk during this symposium, which will take place from 2:30 pm to 2:50 pm, will be delivered by Jürgen Popp, who is the scientific director of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Jena. His talk, titled “Enhancing Medical Diagnostics with AI-driven Raman Spectroscopy,” will discuss the integration of optical technologies and AI to enhance medical diagnostics and treatment (2). It focuses on Raman spectroscopy and multimodal approaches for real-time tumor diagnosis and rapid infectious disease detection (2). Emphasizing speed in diagnosis, the presentation highlights efforts to bridge research and clinical practice through translational infrastructure (2). The main theme of Popp’s presentation is that by reducing time to treatment, these innovations aim to improve patient outcomes and advance the adoption of AI-enhanced photonic techniques in healthcare.

The second talk worth highlighting in this symposium will be delivered by Lednev. His talk, titled, “New Horizons in Forensic Applications of Raman Spectroscopy Enabled by Artificial Intelligence” will take place from 4:10 to 4:40 pm EST. Lednev will discuss a Raman-based method for identifying body fluids (2). Raman spectroscopy is a highly selective, non-destructive technique requiring minimal sample preparation, with portable instruments enabling crime scene analysis. In his presentation, Lednev will explain how this new Raman-based method can distinguish between human and animal blood, as well as estimate bloodstain age up to two years (2). Because AI enhances data interpretation, even enabling phenotype profiling, it is being used in crime scene applications such as the one described in the talk. Combining AI and Raman with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) has expanded forensic capabilities, and Lednev will discuss how it has allowed for ammunition source identification based on GSR analysis (2).

Along with Lednev and Popp, the symposium will include a talk from Professor Ji-Xin Cheng from Boston University, as well as a presentation from Shuxia Guo will highlight AI’s expanding role in vibrational spectroscopy, fostering dialogue on its transformative potential and future applications.

References

1. Wetzel, W. Shining a Spotlight on Spectroscopy: What to Expect at Pittcon 2025. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/shining-a-spotlight-on-spectroscopy-what-to-expect-at-pittcon-2025 (accessed 2025-02-20).
2. Pittcon, Technical Program. Lab Science Events. Available at: https://labscievents.pittcon.org/event/pittcon-2025/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjQ1Mzg2Mg== (accessed 2025-02-20).