Fig. 5. Averages spectra acquired from individual, living THP-1 cells (red, n = 121), M0 cells (green, n = 79), M1–M2 cells (blue, n = 42), and M2 cells (cyan, n = 42) within soft gelMA hydrogels. Spectra were background subtracted, baseline corrected using a weighted-least-squares method, normalized, and offset for clarity. Black lines represent 1 standard deviation from the averaged spectra. Assignment of labeled peaks: 702 cm⁻¹ (cholesterol), 718 cm⁻¹ (choline), 785 cm⁻¹ (DNA/RNA bases), 832 cm⁻¹ (tyrosine and asymmetric O–P–O stretching), 854 cm⁻¹ (C–C stretching), 960 cm⁻¹ (unidentified), 1004 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine), 1093 cm⁻¹ (phosphodiester bonds in DNA), 1127 cm⁻¹ (proteins), 1175 cm⁻¹ (cytosine and guanine), 1209 cm⁻¹ (tryptophan and phenylalanine), 1265 cm⁻¹ (lipids and collagen), 1302 cm⁻¹ (lipids and collagen), 1342 cm⁻¹ (guanine), 1445 cm⁻¹ (lipids and collagen), 1460 cm⁻¹ (lipids and collagen), 1582 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine), 1612 cm⁻¹ (cytosine and tyrosine), and 1658 cm⁻¹ (amide I).