The 'Raman spectroscopic signature of life' is closely related to haem function in budding yeasts.

HEM1 gene encodes δ-aminolevulinate synthase that is required for haem synthesis. It is an essential gene for yeast survival. The Raman spectra of HEM1 knockout ( hem1Δ) yeast cells lacks a Raman band at 1602 cm^-1 that has been shown to reflect cell metabolic activity. This result suggests that the molecule giving rise to the'Raman spectroscopic signature of life' is closely related to haem functions in the cell. High amount of squalene is also observed in the hem1Δ strain, which is another new discovery of this study. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]