The Harvard team has already used SRS microscopy to study the migration of topical medications through the skin, and it could shortly begin aiding in surgeries to remove tumors in which samples have to be removed and the histologically examined – a process that takes 20 minutes or so while the patient lays on the operating table. SRS microscopy could do the same analysis in real time in the operating theater. Coupled with endoscopy, it could also create 3-D sections of tissues layer-by-layer, giving clinicians a better view of what's going on.