Lanthanide luminescent complexes seem to be very suitable for imaging of living cells by the Raman microscopy. For example, they are more stable and spectra are more specific than for organic dyes. We will further improve their functionality so they will bind to specific biomolecules or cellular structures. Spectroscopic properties, such as fluorescent quantum yield, will be optimized as well. The work will include organic synthesis, characterization of the spectroscopic response, e.g., upon interaction with proteins and nucleic acids, and polarization measurements with left- and right- circularly polarized light.