We review how the hyperspectral dark field analysis gives us quantitative insights into the manner that different nanoscale materials interact with their environment and how this relationship is directly expressed in an optical readout. We engage classification tools to identify dominant spectral signatures within a scene or to qualitatively characterize nanoparticles individually or in populations based on their composition and morphology. Moreover, we follow up the morphological evolution of nanoparticles over time and in different biological environments to better understand and establish a link between the observed nanoparticles' changes and cellular behaviors.

DT (FJCI-2014-22398), PZP (BES-2015-075020 and MDM-2014-0370-04), and PRG (RYC-2012-10059, CTQ2013-45433-P[FEDER] and MDM-2014-0370-04) acknowledge the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness (MINECO), while PRG and RX acknowledges the China Scholarship Council (File No.201606220083) for financial support.