Biophotonic techniques for the study of malaria-infected red blood cells

Abstract

Investigation of the homeostasis of red blood cells upon infection by Plasmodium falciparum poses complex experimental challenges. Changes in red cell shape, volume, protein, and ion balance are difficult to quantify. In this article, we review a wide range of optical techniques for quantitative measurements of critical homeostatic parameters in malaria-infected red blood cells. Fluorescence lifetime imaging and tomographic phase microscopy, quantitative deconvolution microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis, are used to measure haemoglobin concentration, cell volume, and ion contents. Atomic force microscopy is briefly reviewed in the context of these optical methodologies. We also describe how optical tweezers and optical stretchers can be usefully applied to empower basic malaria research to yield diagnostic information on cell compliance changes upon malaria infection. The combined application of these techniques sheds new light on the detailed mechanisms of malaria infection providing potential for new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.

Microconstriction Arrays for High-Throughput Quantitative Measurements of Cell Mechanical Properties

“…Moreover, alterations of cell mechanical properties have been linked to common human diseases such as cancer (9,10), inflammation and sepsis (11), asthma (2), malaria (10,12), and cardiovascular disorders. To measure cell mechanical properties, numerous techniques have been developed including atomic force microscopy (13), micropipette aspiration (14,15), particle tracking microrheology (16), and magnetic tweezer microrheology (17).…”

Nanohydroxyapatite shape and its potential role in bone formation: an analytical study

“…With bone regeneration being the ultimate goal of using HA NPs, our hypothesis was that the osteoblast proliferation, function and ECM production would respond to HA NPs, and that this response would be sensitive to HA NPs having two different shapes and aspect ratios. In addition to traditional biochemical assays for measuring cell proliferation, we also used a highly sensitive, TEM-based microanalysis technique that measures cytoplasmic ion concentrations, including potassium/sodium (K/Na) ratio [23,24]. To gain further information of the effects of HA NP exposure on osteoblast physiology and differentiation, microanalysis was also used to measure intracellular calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels, as a complement to other measures such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.…”

Theoretical models for near forward light scattering by aPlasmodium falciparuminfected red blood cell

“…It is, therefore, desirable to develop faster, noninvasive and innovative automated methods which are independent of operator bias and skill. With these requirements in mind, there is considerable interest currently in examining the potential of the elastic light scattering technique as an alternative to conventional methods for quick and reliable diagnosis of malaria [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

“…The scattering characteristics of malaria byproduct hemozoin, including its scattering distribution and depolarization, have also been examined [9,10]. Brief reviews [ 11,12] on the biophotonic techniques for the study of malaria-infected red blood cells have been published recently.…”