Today, as we celebrate the International Day of Light, we delve into one of the fascinating applications of light in health science: Elastic Light Scatter Pattern Analysis (ELS). This innovative technique harnesses the properties of light to characterize and identify materials with precision and speed, showcasing the transformative power of light in various fields.
Understanding Elastic Light Scatter Pattern Analysis
When a microscopic sample like a cell is lit up, it scatters light in all directions. The way this scattered light is spread out isn’t random. Instead, it creates a complex pattern that depends on the sample’s size, shape, density and structure, providing valuable insights into the sample's properties.
Importantly, ELS is non-destructive, as it doesn’t damage the sample like some other methods, allowing for further analysis or use. It’s also provides quick results, which is crucial in fields like medical diagnostics and industrial quality control.
Meanwhile, the high sensitivity and specificity of ELS allows for detecting minute differences in scatter patterns, offering precise identification of materials and microorganisms.
So how can ELS be used? ESR worked on a research project that looked at the ability of ELS to detect Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (foodborne pathogens that can cause serious intestinal infections) in mince.
Read more ESR's ELS research: Elastic Light Scatter Pattern Analysis for the Expedited Detection of Yersinia Species in Pork Mince: Proof of Concept.