Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Drug Discovery, Development and Biomedical Research
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Raman spectroscopy has been ‘rediscovered’ as a powerful analytical tool in pharmaceutical sciences, driven by recent advances in instrumentation, data analysis, and imaging capabilities. Once considered primarily a physicochemical characterization method, Raman spectroscopy is now gaining renewed attention for its non-invasive, label-free, real-time, and highly specific detection capabilities. One of the longstanding challenges in Raman spectroscopy has been the interpretation of complex, overlapping spectra, especially in multicomponent systems such as biological tissues or formulated products. However, recent developments in machine learning and artificial intelligence are transforming this limitation into an opportunity. This Special Issue, titled ‘Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool for Drug Discovery, Development and Biomedical Research’, aims to highlight recent progress across the entire pharmaceutical pipeline—from early-stage drug discovery and formulation development to clinical diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. In addition to showcasing experimental and translational advancements, this Issue welcomes recent progress in computational methods to unmix convoluted spectral features. We welcome submissions (original articles or reviews) that explore how Raman techniques can enhance molecular understanding, streamline pharmaceutical processes, and improve diagnostic or sensing capabilities. Papers addressing novel Raman modalities, data analysis strategies, or integration with complementary technologies are particularly welcome. Together, the studies presented in this Issue can highlight how the synergy between innovative experimental techniques and computational intelligence is redefining the analytical power of Raman spectroscopy and its relevance to both pharmaceutical research and biomedical applications.
Dr. Panagiota Zarmpi
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- Raman spectroscopy
- SERS
- SORS
- SRS
- CARS
- drug design
- drug–target interaction
- high-throughput
- drug formulation
- preformulation
- bioequivalence
- non-invasive biosensing
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