Integration of Diffraction Phase Microscopy and Raman Imaging for Label-free Morpho-molecular Assessment of Live Cells.

Abstract

Label-free quantitative imaging is highly desirable for studying live cells by extracting pathophysiological information without perturbing cell functions. Here we demonstrate a novel label-free multimodal optical imaging system with the capability of providing comprehensive morphological and molecular attributes of live cells. Our morpho-molecular microscopy (3M) system draws on the combined strength of quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) and Raman microscopy to probe the morphological features and molecular fingerprinting characteristics of each cell under observation. While the common-path geometry of our QPM system allows for highly sensitive phase measurement, the Raman microscopy is equipped with dual excitation wavelengths and utilizes the same detection and dispersion system, making it a distinctive multi-wavelength system with a small footprint. We demonstrate the applicability the 3M system by investigating nucleated and non-nucleated cells. This integrated, label-free platform has a promising potential in preclinical research, as well as in clinical diagnosis in the near future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View details for PubMedID 30421505