From the Journals

Label-Free Detection of Intracellular Microplastics

O-PTIR enables sub-micron identification of microplastics within intestinal epithelial cells

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  • February 27, 2026

  • 2 min

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Researchers employed optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy to identify microplastics in intestinal epithelial cells, focusing on biological impacts. This method resolves longstanding issues in microplastics research by allowing the detection of intracellular particles without dyes. The study used environmentally relevant microplastics from common sources and demonstrated that O-PTIR can distinguish polymer types and assess cellular biochemical changes. The findings indicate potential oxidative stress and lipid damage due to microplastic exposure, emphasizing the need for further research in biological systems.

Original Source(s)

Label-Free Detection of Intracellular Microplastics

O-PTIR enables sub-micron identification of microplastics within intestinal epithelial cells

  • February 27, 2026

  • 2 min

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