All-optical multimodal mapping of single-cell-type-specific metabolic activities via REDCAT.

REDCAT enables subcellular, multimodal mapping of cell-type-specific metabolism in tissues, revealing distinct metabolic profiles in lymph nodes, lymphoma, and liver.

• Why it matters: Understanding metabolic activities at single-cell resolution within tissues is vital for deciphering physiological and pathological processes, but current methods lack specificity and direct cell identification.
• What they did: The team developed REDCAT, an all-optical platform combining Raman scattering microscopy with high-plex immunofluorescence to simultaneously map proteins, lipids, metabolites, and redox states in human tissues.
• The result: REDCAT uncovered cell-specific metabolic specializations, reprogramming during tumor transformation, and zonation-dependent gradients, enabling insights into immunity and cancer mechanisms.