Rapid and Robust Bacterial Identification via Compact Raman Microscopy and AI

This presentation offers a compact Raman microscopy and machine learning platform for rapid, label-free in vitro bacterial identification and infection detection. Raman spectra were collected from 15 relevant bacterial strains after standard culturing, and classification models (Random Forest and CNN) achieved over 95% identification accuracy. The custom system acquires spectra within seconds per measurement and supports spatial Raman mapping to visualize bacterial distributions. In a mouse wound infection model, this approach distinguished infected versus uninfected tissue with 99% accuracy.

As a proof of concept, the Ilchenko's team demonstrated continuous in-microscope incubation at 37oC, enabling real-time monitoring of bacterial growth and early Raman spectral acquisition before visible colonies form. While standard culturing remains part of the workflow, this integrated approach can potentially reduce incubation times in future applications. Overall, the results underscore the speed, robustness, and diagnostic potential of combining compact Raman spectroscopy with AI for rapid pathogen identification.

About the presenter
Oleksii Ilchenko, Ph.D., is co-founder and ceo of Lightnovo ApS, a Danish spin-off from the Technical University of Denmark, where he worked as a researcher from 2016 to 2024. During this time, he developed six international patents that laid the foundation for Lightnovo’s Raman spectroscopy technologies.

Together with co-founders Yurii Pilhun, Ph.D. and Anja Boisen, Oleksii launched Lightnovo in 2019 with the vision to make high-performance Raman spectroscopy more compact, accessible, and affordable. Today, the company offers a unique portfolio of miniaturized Raman devices used for chemical identification in fields ranging from R&D and pharmaceuticals to homeland security and forensics.

Under Oleksii’s leadership, Lightnovo has grown into a global player, with over 89 Raman units sold, 19 distributors in 31 countries.