QUANTITATIVE MICROSCOPY/LABEL-FREE IMAGING: NIR quantitative phase imaging visualizes cellular dynamics through silicon

Nov. 18, 2013
A team of scientists from the University of Texas at Arlington and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, MA) has overcome past limitations on quantitative microscopy through an opaque medium by using a combination of quantitative phase imaging and near-infrared (NIR) light.

A team of scientists from the University of Texas at Arlington and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, MA) has overcome past limitations on quantitative microscopy through an opaque medium by using a combination of quantitative phase imaging and near-infrared (NIR) light.1 A decade-old "label-free" technique, quantitative phase imaging uses shifts in phases of light, instead of staining, to facilitate imaging.

The approach enables quantitative observation of cellular processes taking place in lab-on-a-chip devices. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of quantitative phase imaging of cellular structure and function in silicon environment," said Samarenda Mohanty, head of the Biophysics and Physiology Laboratory at UT Arlington.

The technology has potential application in drug development and disease diagnosis. "Silicon-based micro devices known as labs-on-a-chip are revolutionizing high-throughput analysis of cells and molecules for disease diagnosis and screening of drug effects. However, very little progress has been made in the optical characterization of samples in these systems," said Bipin Joshi, a recent graduate and lead author on the paper. "The technology we've developed is well suited to meet this need."

The researchers proved success in analyzing specimens through a silicon wafer in two instances. In one, they accomplished full-field imaging of the features of red blood cells to nanometer-thickness accuracy. In another, they observed dynamic variation of human embryonic kidney cells in response to change in salt concentration. Mohanty believes that the work could lead to noninvasive monitoring of neuronal activity.

"We envision that this significantly expands the visualization possible in silicon-based microelectronic and micromechanical devices," added Ishan Barman, now an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University.

1. B. Joshi et al., Sci. Rep., 3, 2822 (2013); doi:10.1038/srep02822.

Sponsored Recommendations

Melles Griot Optical Systems and Semrock Optical Filters for Spatial Biology

Feb. 26, 2025
Discover why a robust, high-throughput fluorescence imaging system with Semrock optical filters is key for Spatial Biology.

Working with Optical Density

Feb. 26, 2025
Optical Density, or OD, is a convenient tool used to describe the transmission of light through a highly blocking optical filter.

Finding the Right Dichroic Beamsplitter

Feb. 26, 2025
Unsure how to select the right dichroic beamsplitter? Explore our selection guide for our wide variety of 45º dichroic beamsplitters.

Measurement of Optical Filter Spectra

Feb. 26, 2025
Learn about the limitations of standard metrology techniques and how Semrock utilizes different measurement approaches to evaluate filter spectra.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!