Raman Investigation of In Vivo Radiation Exposure on Melanin in Murine Hair

The study examines the effects of gamma radiation on melanin in the hair of C57BL/6 mice using Raman spectroscopy, focusing on two excitation wavelengths (532 and 785 nm). The 785 nm wavelength proved more sensitive to radiation-induced changes, identifying specific Raman features of melanin as potential biomarkers for radiation exposure. Machine learning models using these biomarkers achieved 100% accuracy in classifying exposure 1 day post-exposure, though accuracy declined after 7 days. The study involved 144 measurements and highlighted the potential of Raman spectroscopy for radiation biodosimetry and medical monitoring, with the 785 nm wavelength providing more accurate predictions. The findings suggest that Raman spectroscopy could serve as a noninvasive tool for detecting radiation exposure, with implications for clinical decision-making.