Isotope selective analysis of CO(2) with tunable diode laser (TDL) spectroscopy in the NIR

The performance of a home-built tunable diode laser (TDL) spectrometer, aimed at multi-line detection of carbon dioxide, has been evaluated and optimized. In the regime of the (30(0)1)(III) <-- (000) band of (12)CO(2) around 1.6 microm, the dominating isotope species (12)CO(2), (13)CO(2), and (12)C(18)O(16)O were detected simultaneously without interference by water vapor. Detection limits in the range of few ppmv were obtained for each species utilizing wavelength modulation (WM) spectroscopy with balanced detection in a long-path absorption cell set-up. High sensitivity in conjunction with high precision -- typically +/-1 (per thousand) and +/-6 (per thousand) for 3% and 0.7% of CO(2), respectively -- renders this experimental approach a promising analytical concept for isotope-ratio determination of carbon dioxide in soil and breath gas. For a moderate (12)CO(2) line, the pressure dependence of the line profile was characterized in detail, to account for pressure effects on sensitive measurements.     

The influence of intracellular storage material on bacterial identification by means of Raman spectroscopy

Previous studies dealing with bacterial identification by means of Raman spectroscopy have demonstrated that micro-Raman is a suitable technique for single-cell microbial identification. Raman spectra yield fingerprint-like information about all chemical components within one cell, and combined with multivariate methods, differentiation down to species or even strain level is possible. Many microorganisms may accumulate high amounts of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as carbon and energy storage materials within the cell and the Raman bands of PHA might impede the identification and differentiation of cells. To date, the identification by means of Raman spectroscopy have never been tested on bacteria which had accumulated PHA. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of intracellular polymer accumulation on the bacterial identification rate. Combining fluorescence imaging and Raman spectroscopy, we identified polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as a storage polymer accumulating in the investigated cells. The amount of energy storage material present within the cells was dependent on the physiological status of the microorganisms and strongly influenced the identification results. Bacteria in the stationary phase formed granules of crystalline PHB, which obstructed the Raman spectroscopic identification of bacterial species. The Raman spectra of bacteria in the exponential phase were dominated by signals from the storage material. However, the bands from proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids were not completely obscured by signals from PHB. Cells growing under either oxic or anoxic conditions could also be differentiated, suggesting that changes in Raman spectra can be interpreted as an indicator of different metabolic pathways. Although the presence of PHB induced severe changes in the Raman spectra, our results suggest that Raman spectroscopy can be successfully used for identification as long as the bacteria are not in the stationary phase.     

Towards single-microorganism detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The identification and discrimination of microorganisms is important not only for clinical reasons but also for pharmaceutical clean room production and food-processing technology. Vibrational spectroscopy such as IR, Raman, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) can provide a rapid ‘fingerprint’ on the chemical structure of molecules and is used to obtain a ‘fingerprint’ from microorganisms as well. Because of the requirement that a single bacterium cell and noble metal nanoparticles must be in close contact and the lack of a significant physical support to hold nanoparticles around the single bacterium cell, the acquisition of SERS spectra for a single bacterium using colloidal nanoparticles could be a challenging task. The feasibility of SERS for identification down to a single bacterium is investigated. A Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, is chosen as a model for the investigation. Because the adsorption of silver nanoparticles onto the bacterial cell is an exclusive way for locating nanoparticles close to the bacterium cell, the absorption characteristics of silver nanoparticles with different surface charges are investigated. It is demonstrated that the citrate-reduced colloidal silver solution generates more reproducible SERS spectra. It is found that E. coli cells aggregate upon mixing with silver colloidal solution, and this may provide an additional benefit in locating the bacterial cell under a light microscope. It is also found that a laser wavelength in the UV region could be a better choice for the study due to the shallow penetration depth. It is finally shown that it is possible to obtain SERS spectra from a single cell down to a few bacterial cells, depending on the aggregation properties of bacterial cells for identification and discrimination.     

Analysis of single blood cells for CSF diagnostics via a combination of fluorescence staining and micro-Raman spectroscopy

This contribution provides a new approach for single blood cell analysis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with the possibility of utilizing simultaneously on the same sample the unique capabilities of the two methods fluorescence staining and Raman spectroscopy. By doing so this technique enables the potential of accurate and rapid cell identification in order to determine cell parameters immediately (e.g. the study of the level of activation or phagocytosis activity of single blood cells). Fluorescence labeling of blood cells offers the great possibility of differentiating easily between the subtypes of white blood cells, while Raman spectroscopy reveals molecular fingerprint information with a spatial resolution down to the diffraction limit. Compared to an unstained cell, the presented results nicely demonstrate that the selected fluorescence dye does not influence the Raman spectrum of a labeled blood cell notably. By the combined application of Raman spectroscopy and statistical data analysis a distinction between white blood cell substructures could be performed. Since several blood cell types also differ in the amount of their cell components, differentiation between several blood cell types is also possible when one blood cell is described in the database by several Raman spectra according their presented sub-microscopic structures. This capability with the possibility of accurate and rapid blood cell identification in cerebrospinal fluid is extremely promising for implementation in clinical diagnostics.     

Raman‐Spektroskopie. Biomedizinische Diagnostik

Raman microspectroscopy has established itself in the last years as an extremely capable analytical method for biomedical diagnosis because it is labelfree and provides high molecular selectivity. That way Raman microspectroscopy allows for a fast identification and characterization of microorganisms like e.g. pathogens on a single cell level. Linear Raman spectroscopy and non‐linear Raman techniques like CARS microscopy have great potential for an objective evaluation of cells or tissue for an early diagnosis of diseases like e.g. cancer.     

Factors affecting 13C-natural abundance measurement of breath carbon dioxide during surgery: absorption of carbon dioxide during endoscopic procedures

The aim of this paper is to review the factors which may affect breath (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) natural abundance in patients undergoing surgery or intensive care. Intravenous glucose administration is a major determinant of the (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) of breath as intravenous glucose preparations are almost all derived from cornstarch. In addition, the oxidation of endogenous substrates can affect the (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) ratio. During many endoscopic procedures, such as laparoscopic surgery, carbon dioxide insufflation is used to provide a working space. As medical CO(2) is relatively depleted in (13)CO(2) compared with endogenous and exogenous metabolic CO(2) sources, breath (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) measurements can be used to estimate CO(2) absorption during these procedures. However, all these factors may also be affected by the bicarbonate pool, making a definitive attribution of changes in breath (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) to a single factor problematic.     

基于单细胞拉曼光谱技术的葡萄球菌黄素生物合成分析

利用光镊拉曼光谱技术研究吲哚对金葡菌细胞中葡萄球菌黄素合成的抑制作用以及色素含量在分批培养过程中的动态变化。收集经不同浓度吲哚(终浓度为0,0.2,0.6,0.8,1.2和1.5 mmol/L)处理后的以及不同培养时间的金葡菌单细胞的拉曼光谱,以光谱1523 cm-1峰强度表征色素含量,并与紫外可见分光光度法得到的结果进行比较。结果表明,细菌拉曼光谱1523 cm-1峰强度与分光光度法测得的色素含量有良好的线性关系,相关系数达0.9772;群体和单细胞水平的光谱数据均表明,吲哚可剂量依赖性地抑制葡萄球菌黄素的合成,色素含量降低幅度超过70%;在分批培养中细菌色素含量在对数生长中期(12 h)达到最大值,各个时间点的群体内部细胞间色素含量的异质性较小,RSD在39.2%~61.1%之间。本研究表明光镊拉曼光谱技术是一种在单细胞水平分析葡萄球菌黄素含量的可靠方法。     

Melting curve and high-pressure chemistry of formic acid to 8 GPa and 600 K

We have determined the melting temperature of formic acid (HCOOH) as a function of pressure to 8.5 GPa using infrared absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and visual observation of samples in a resistively heated diamond-anvil cell. The experimentally determined incongruent melting curve compares favorably with a two-phase thermodynamic model. Decomposition reactions were observed above the melting temperature up to a pressure of 6.5 GPa, with principal products being CO2, H2O, and CO. At pressures above 6.5 GPa, decomposition led to reaction products that could be quenched as solids to zero pressure, and infrared and Raman spectra indicate that pressure leads to the presence of sp3 carbon-carbon bonding in these reaction products.     

12CO(A1Π)与13CO(X1∑+)电子传能得多光子电离光谱研究

用双色共振多光子电离光谱(REMPI)方法, 在77 K温度下对~(12)CO(A~1H)与~(13)CO(X~1∑~+)之间的碰撞传能过程进行了研究. 发现二者之间的电子能量转移极快, 并测量了其不同振动通道的速率, 得到~(12)CO(A~1П)V=1、2、3与~(13)CO(X~1∑~+)V=0之间的电子传能总截面分别为1.14±0.42、0.22±0.04、0.17±0.06 nm, 还测量了产物的∧分裂П~+和П~-的布局比, 发现П~+布居总是多于П~-. 从激基复合物生成的观点对传能机理和∧双重态布居的倾向性进行了讨论。     

Monitoring cellular responses upon fatty acid exposure by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy

We investigated the applicability of FTIR-spectroscopy as a high throughput screening method for detection of biochemical changes in intact liver cells in bulk upon fatty acid exposure. HepG2 cells adapted to serum free (HepG2-SF) growth were exposed to four different fatty acids, three octadecenoic acids, differing in cis/trans-configuration or double bond position (oleic acid, elaidic acid and vaccenic acid) as well as palmitic acid in three days. High throughput FTIR spectroscopic measurements on dried films of intact cells showed spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio and great reproducibility. When applying principal component analysis (PCA) a clear discrimination between fatty acid exposures was observed. Higher levels of triacylglycerides were accumulated in cells exposed to elaidic acid than when exposed to the other fatty acids; the least accumulation appeared to be in cells exposed to palmitic acid. An increased absorption at ~966 cm(-1) corresponding to trans-double bond was detected upon elaidic acid exposure but not upon vaccenic acid exposure. Instead, upon vaccenic acid exposure two new absorption bands were observed at 981 and 946 cm(-1) due to the presence of double bond conjugation. Raman spectroscopy on single cells, with and without treatment by vaccenic acid, confirmed the presence of conjugation. By fatty acid composition analysis, the conjugation was further specified to be conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers. Thus, instead of being preserved as a monounsaturated fatty acid, vaccenic acid was converted into CLA in HepG2 cells. The results demonstrate the applicability of high-throughput FTIR spectroscopy as an explorative method in in vitro systems from which biologically relevant hypotheses can be generated and further investigated.     

Labeled vs. Label-Free Raman Imaging of Lipids in Endothelial Cells of Various Origins

Endothelial cells (EC) constitute a single layer of the lining of blood vessels and play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction has been recognized as a primary or secondary cause of many diseases and it manifests itself, among others, by increased lipid content or a change in the lipid composition in the EC. Therefore, the analysis of cellular lipids is crucial to understand the mechanisms of disease development. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced inflammation of EC alters the lipid content of cells, which can be detected by Raman spectroscopy. By default, lipid detection is carried out in a label-free manner, and these compounds are recognized based on their spectral profile characteristics. We consider (3S,3′S)-astaxanthin (AXT), a natural dye with a characteristic resonance spectrum, as a new Raman probe for the detection of lipids in the EC of various vascular beds, i.e., the aorta, brain and heart. AXT colocalizes with lipids in cells, enabling imaging of lipid-rich cellular components in a time-dependent manner using laser power 10 times lower than that commonly used to measure biological samples. The results show that AXT can be used to study lipids distribution in EC at various locations, suggesting its use as a universal probe for studying cellular lipids using Raman spectroscopy. The use of labeled Raman imaging of lipids in the EC of various organs could contribute to their easier identification and to a better understanding of the development and progression of various vascular diseases, and it could also potentially improve their diagnosis and treatment.     

Tungsten and molybdenum nitrosyl cations in fluorosulfonic acid

The tungsten and molybdenum hexacarbonyls, M(CO)(6) (M = W, Mo), dissolve in fluorosulfonic acid, HSO(3)F, to generate the tungsten and molybdenum carbonyl cations, [M(CO)(4)](2+)(solv), which are transformed, by exposure to an NO atmosphere, into the tungsten and molybdenum carbonyldinitrosyl cations, [M(CO)(NO)(2)](2+)(solv), respectively. These complexes have been characterized by NMR ((183)W, (13)C, and (15)N), IR, and Raman spectroscopy, and they are the first well-characterized metal nitrosyl cations in strong acids or superacids although the spectroscopic techniques do not address the number or coordination mode of the solvent molecules. Their formation suggests that strong acids and superacids can hopefully be used to generate a number of metal nitrosyl cations as they have been successfully used for preparing a series of metal carbonyl cations.     

Tumour cell identification by means of Raman spectroscopy in combination with optical traps and microfluidic environments

Raman spectroscopy has been recognized to be a powerful tool for label-free discrimination of cells. Sampling methods are under development to utilize the unique capabilities to identify cells in body fluids such as saliva, urine or blood. The current study applied optical traps in combination with Raman spectroscopy to acquire spectra of single cells in microfluidic glass channels. Optical traps were realized by two 1070 nm single mode fibre lasers. Microflows were controlled by a syringe pump system. A novel microfluidic glass chip was designed to inject single cells, modify the flow speed, accommodate the laser fibres and sort cells after Raman based identification. Whereas the integrated microchip setup used 514 nm for excitation of Raman spectra, a quartz capillary setup excited spectra with 785 nm laser wavelength. Classification models were trained using linear discriminant analysis to differentiate erythrocytes, leukocytes, acute myeloid leukaemia cells (OCI-AML3), and breast tumour cells BT-20 and MCF-7 with accuracies that are comparable with previous Raman experiments of dried cells and fixed cells in a Petri dish. Implementation into microfluidic environments enables a high degree of automation that is required to improve the throughput of the approach for Raman activated cell sorting.     

氧化铈促进的高效Au/Al2O3催化剂制备及其催化CO选择氧化反应性能

近年来,伴随全球能源危机的加剧,以及温室效应和细颗粒物等一系列环境问题出现,各国研究者正努力寻求和开发可持续利用的新能源来代替传统的化石能源.燃料电池具有能量转化效率高、对环境排放低和污染小等优点,作为一种新的环境友好型技术而广受关注.在众多的燃料电池中,质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)因具有能量效率高和工作窗口温度
　　低等优势而备受关注.但是, PEMFC燃料以H2为主,主要来源是烃类的重整气,但其中痕量的CO (10 ppm)将会引起Pt电极中毒,导致PEMFC性能迅速下降,因此如何有效地祛除富氢气体中的CO并尽可能减少H2的消耗具有重要研究价值.目前, CO选择氧化法(CO-PROX)是公认的最简单、廉价和有效的办法之一. CO的消除通常选用霍加拉特催化剂,虽然Cu基催化剂具有低廉的成本和较好的CO催化氧化性能,但是当反应中有H2O和CO2存在时,其活性会迅速下降. Au催化剂具有优异的低温CO催化氧化性能,但在PEMFC的工作温度窗口为80–120oC时,随着反应温度提高, H2与CO之间的竞争吸附变强,采用单组分Au催化剂难于在80–120 oC内使CO完全氧化.因此,设计并制备高效的Au催化剂来提高其在PEMFC工作温度(80–120 oC)条件下CO-PROX反应活性和选择性仍然是目前该方向的难点.氧化铈(CeO2)是一种重要的稀土化合物,由于Ce具有独特的4f电子层结构, Ce3+/Ce4+在一定条件下可以相互转化,具有较高的储放氧能力,即能够在富氧条件下储存氧,在贫氧条件下释放氧. CeO2是一种重要的氧化反应催化剂载体,是三效催化剂的主要组成部分,在净化汽车尾气方面稀土元素具有独特的优势,广泛应用于CO氧化和NOx消除等领域中.最近,本课题组以自制的氧化铝为载体,制备了K掺杂的Au-Cu/Al2O3催化剂,其在CO-PROX反应中具有较好的催化活性和稳定性.本文在此基础上,利用Au与CeO2之间的相互作用,制备了CeO2掺杂的Au/CeO2/Al2O3催化剂和K掺杂的Au-Cu/CeO2/Al2O3催化剂.表征结果发现,催化剂中Au和Au-Cu纳米粒子的尺寸均一,平均粒径分别为2.4±0.4和2.8±0.4 nm.与Au/Al2O3催化剂相比, Ce掺杂的Au催化剂具有更高的金属分散度,拓宽了其CO完全转化时的反应温度窗口(30–70 oC).对所制备的Au催化剂进一步通过拉曼光谱、H2程序升温还原和CO-红外光谱等手段分析和CO-PROX催化性能测试,可以证实Au-Cu/CeO2/Al2O3催化剂中各组分在CO-PROX反应中所起的作用.结果表明, CeO2的掺杂能增强活性组分与载体之间的相互作用,有助于提高Au-Cu纳米粒子的分散度,此外还能提高Au催化剂的还原性能,其表面形成的氧空位提高了CO-PROX反应的催化性能. Cu物种的引入显著增强了CO在Au催化剂上吸附能力.综上所述, CeO2组分对Au/Al2O3催化剂的促进作用体现在：(1)有效锚定Au和Au-Cu纳米粒子;(2)提供CO-PROX反应中的活性氧物种.     

Raman,infrared and force field studies of K2(12)C2O4 x H2O and K2(13)C2O4 x H2O in the solid state and in aqueous solution,and of (NH4)2(12)C2O4 x H2O and (NH4)2(13)C2O4 x H2O in the solid state

The Raman and infrared spectra of solid K2(12)C2O4 x H2O are reported together with, for the first time, the corresponding Raman and infrared spectra of solid K2(13)C2O4 x H2O. Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of both isotopomers are also reported. In the solid state the oxalate anion is planar with D2h symmetry in this salt, whereas in aqueous solution the Raman spectra of the anion are best interpreted on the basis of D2d symmetry. The Raman spectra of solid (NH4)2(12)C2O4 x H2O and (NH4)2(13)C2O4 x H2O, in which the oxalate anion is twisted from planarity by 28 degrees about the CC bond, have also been recorded. Several reassignments have been made. The harmonic force field for the oxalate anion in the D2h, D2 and D2d geometries has been determined in part, and approximate values of key valence force constants determined. All the observed band wavenumbers and 12C/13C isotopic shifts are well reproduced by the force fields. The potential energy distribution of the totally symmetric normal modes of planar oxalate indicates that each mode consists of extensively mixed symmetry corrdinates and that the labels previously used for the bands seen here at 475 and 879 cm(-1) would better be described as v(CC) and deltaS(CO2), respectively, putting them in the same wavenumber order as v(NN) and deltaS(NO2) for the isoelectronic and isostructural molecule N2O4. The stretching force constants of N2O4 and planar C2O4(2-) are established to be in the order f(NN) < f(CC) and f(NO) > f(CO), consistent with the known relative bond lengths.     

The many facets of Raman spectroscopy for biomedical analysis

A critical review is presented on the use of linear and nonlinear Raman microspectroscopy in biomedical diagnostics of bacteria, cells, and tissues. This contribution is combined with an overview of the achievements of our research group. Linear Raman spectroscopy offers a wealth of chemical and molecular information. Its routine clinical application poses a challenge due to relatively weak signal intensities and confounding overlapping effects. Nonlinear variants of Raman spectroscopy such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) have been recognized as tools for rapid image acquisition. Imaging applications benefit from the fact that contrast is based on the chemical composition and molecular structures in a label-free and nondestructive manner. Although not label-free, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has also been recognized as a complementary biomedical tool to increase sensitivity. The current state of the art is evaluated, illustrative examples are given, future developments are pointed out, and important reviews and references from the current literature are selected. The topics are identification of bacteria and single cells, imaging of single cells, Raman activated cell sorting, diagnosis of tissue sections, fiber optic Raman spectroscopy, and progress in coherent Raman scattering in tissue diagnosis. The roles of networks—such as Raman4clinics and CLIRSPEC on a European level—and early adopters in the translation, dissemination, and validation of new methods are discussed.     

Raman spectroscopy of synthetic and natural iowaite

The chemistry of a magnesium based hydrotalcite known as iowaite Mg6Fe2Cl2(OH)16.4H2O has been studied using Raman spectroscopy. Iowaite has chloride as the counter anion in the interlayer. The formula of synthetic iowaite was found to be Mg5.78Fe2.09(Cl,(CO3)0.5)(OH)16.4H2O. Oxidation of natural iowaite results in the formation of Mg4FeO(Cl,CO3) (OH)8.4H2O. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the iowaite is a layered structure with a d(001) spacing of 8.0 angtsroms. For synthetic iowaite three Raman bands at 1376, 1194 and 1084 cm(-1) are attributed to CO3 stretching vibrations. These bands are not observed for the natural iowaite but are observed when the natural iowaite is exposed to air. The Raman spectrum of natural iowaite shows three bands at 708, 690 and 620 cm(-1) and upon exposure to air, two broad bands are found at 710 and 648 cm(-1). The Raman spectrum of synthetic iowaite has a very broad band at 712 cm(-1). The Raman spectrum of natural iowaite shows an intense band at 527 cm(-1). The air oxidized iowaite shows two bands at 547 and 484 cm(-1) attributed to the (CO3)(2-)nu2 bending mode. Raman spectroscopy has proven most useful for the study of the chemistry of iowaite and chemical changes induced in natural iowaite upon exposure to air.     

Electronic spectroscopy of the previously unknown arsenic carbide (AsC) free radical

The previously unknown arsenic carbide (AsC) free radical has been identified in the gas phase through a combination of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), single vibronic level emission, and stimulated emission pumping (SEP) spectroscopy in a supersonic expansion. The As(12)C and As(13)C isotopologues have been detected as products of an electric discharge in mixtures of arsine (AsH(3)) and carbon dioxide ((12)CO(2) or (13)CO(2)) in high pressure argon. The B (2)Σ(+)-X (2)Σ(+) band system was recorded by LIF spectroscopy and emission transitions from the B state down to the ground state and to the low-lying A (2)Π(i) state were observed. High resolution studies of the B-X 0-0 band by LIF and the B-A 0-0 band by SEP spectroscopy enabled a determination of the molecular structures in the three states. Although CN, CP, and AsC have similar X (2)Σ(+) and A (2)Π(i) states, the B (2)Σ(+) state molecular orbital configuration of CP and AsC differs from that of the CN free radical.     

Determination of alkaloids in capsules, milk and ethanolic extracts of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) by ATR-FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy

Fourier transform (FT) infrared spectroscopy using a diamond composite ATR crystal and NIR-FT-Raman spectroscopy techniques were applied for the simultaneous identification and quantification of the most important alkaloids in poppy capsules. Most of the characteristic Raman signals of the alkaloids can be identified in poppy milk isolated from unripe capsules. But also poppy extracts present specific bands relating clearly to the alkaloid fraction. Raman spectra obtained by excitation with a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm show no disturbing fluorescence effects; therefore the plant tissue can be recorded without any special preparation. The used diamond ATR technique allows to measure very small sample amounts (5-10 microL or 2-5 mg) without the necessity to perform time-consuming pre-treatments. When applying cluster analysis a reliable discrimination of "low-alkaloid" and "high-alkaloid" poppy single-plants can be easily achieved. The examples presented in this study provide clear evidence of the benefits of Raman and ATR-IR spectroscopy in efficient quality control, forensic analysis and high-throughput evaluation of poppy breeding material.     

Whole-cell based hybrid materials for green energy production, environmental remediation and smart cell-therapy

This critical review highlights the advances that have been made over recent years in the domain of whole-cell immobilisation and encapsulation for applications relating to the environment and human health, particularly focusing on examples of photosynthetic plant cells, bacteria and algae as well as animal cells. Evidence that encapsulated photosynthetic cells remain active in terms of CO(2) sequestration and biotransformation (solar driven conversion of CO(2) into biofuels, drugs, fine chemicals etc.), coupled with the most recent advances made in the field of cell therapy, reveals the need to develop novel devices based on the preservation of living cells within abiotic porous frameworks. This review shall corroborate this statement by selecting precise examples that unambiguously demonstrate the necessity and the benefits of such smart materials. As will be described, the handling and exploitation of photosynthetic cells are enhanced by entrapment or encapsulation since the cells are physically separated from the liquid medium, thereby facilitating the recovery of the metabolites produced. In the case of animal cells, their encapsulation within a matrix is essential in order to create a physical barrier that can protect the cells auto-immune defenders upon implantation into a living body. For these two research axes, the key parameters that have to be kept in mind when designing hybrid materials will be identified, concentrating on essential aspects such as biocompatibility, mechanical strength and controlled porosity (264 references).