No abstract

This Letter demonstrates a method to simultaneously measure the quantitative-phase signal (QPS) of the observed specimen and the refractive index of its surrounding medium ( n m ) in a time-resolved manner using a micro-structured coverslip. Such coverslips, easily integrated into perfused live-cell imaging chambers, allow to use various quantitative-phase imaging techniques to achieve this dual measurement. Since QPS is crucially dependent on n m , the measurement of the latter paves the way for its manipulation in a controlled manner leading to a QPS contrast modulation for appealing applications, including visualizing the interior of cells.

We demonstrate the measurement of whole-cell biophysical parameters with quantitative-phase digital holographic microscopy and flow assays. For different cell types, whole-cell mechanical properties and refractive index, mean cell thickness and absolute cell volume were obtained.

We present a low-cost, 3D-printed, and biocompatible fluidic device, engineered to produce laminar and homogeneous flow over a large field-of-view. Such a fluidic device allows us to perform multiplexed temporal monitoring of cell cultures compatible with the use of various pharmacological protocols. Therefore, specific properties of each of the observed cell cultures can be discriminated simultaneously during the same experiment. This was illustrated by monitoring the agonists-mediated cellular responses, with digital holographic microscopy, of four different cell culture models of cystic fibrosis. Quantitatively speaking, this multiplexed approach provides a time saving factor of around four to reveal specific cellular features.

No abstract