Methods for in-vitro analysis of biological cells and/or microorganisms to determine characteristics such as: degree of differentiation, cell type, donor individuals, culture conditions, purity, lack of natural characteristic, or additional characteristics in comparison to natural characteristics. The methods include the steps of: (a) projecting infrared radiation on a sample (b) recording spectral characteristics of the sample (c) deriving a Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) from the collected spectral characteristics (d) generating a derivative transformation of the FT-IR spectrum (e) comparing said derivative transformation with a derivative of a reference FT-IR spectrum (f) identifying deviations of said derivative from said reference derivative and (g) providing an analysis of said characteristics based on the presence of said deviations. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed methods.
