Optical labels are needed for probing specific target molecules in complex biological systems. As a newly emerging category of tags for molecular imaging in live cells, the Raman label attracts much attention because of the rich information obtained from targeted and untargeted molecules by detecting molecular vibrations. Here, we list three types of Raman probes based on different mechanisms: Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) probes, bioorthogonal Raman probes, and Resonance Raman (RR) probes. We review how these Raman probes work for detecting and imaging proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biomolecules in vitro, within cells, or in vivo. We also summarize recent noteworthy studies, expound on the construction of every type of Raman probe and operating principle, sum up in tables typically targeting molecules for specific binding, and provide merits, drawbacks, and future prospects for the three Raman probes.

在复杂的生物系统中探测特定目标分子需要光学标记。作为用于活细胞分子成像的新兴标签类别，拉曼标签吸引了很多关注，因为通过检测分子振动从靶向和非靶向分子获得了丰富的信息。在这里，我们根据不同的机制列出三种类型的拉曼探针：表面增强拉曼散射（SERS）探针，生物正交拉曼探针和共振拉曼（RR）探针。我们回顾了这些拉曼探针如何在体外，细胞内或体内检测和成像蛋白质，核酸，脂质和其他生物分子。我们还总结了最近的值得注意的研究，阐述了每种类型的拉曼探针的结构和工作原理，总结了通常针对特定结合分子的表格，