Overview of single-cell elastic light scattering techniques

Abstract

We present and discuss several modern optical methods based on elastic light scattering (ELS), along with their technical features and applications in biomedicine and life sciences. In particular, we review some ELS experiments at the single-cell level and explore new directions of applications. Due to recent developments in experimental systems (as shown in the literature), ELS lends itself to useful applications in the life sciences. Of the developed methods, we cover elastic scattering spectroscopy, optical tweezer-assisted measurement, goniometers, Fourier transform light scattering (FTLS), and microscopic methods. FTLS significantly extends the potential analysis of single cells by allowing monitoring of dynamical changes at the single-cell level. The main aim of our review is to demonstrate developments in the experimental investigation of ELS in single cells including issues related to theoretical “representations” and modeling of biological systems (cells, cellular systems, tissues, and so on). Goniometric measurements of ELS from optically trapped single cells are shown and the importance of the experimental verification of theoretical models of ELS in the context of biomedical applications is discussed.

Methods for cell volume measurement

“…Optical elastic scattering (the word “elastic” indicates that the frequencies of illuminating and scattered waves are equal) is widely used in biological applications . Light is scattered by all particles whose refractive index is different from that of the environment; because, as a rule, larger particles scatter stronger, the scattering intensity may carry information about the particle size.…”

Raman Plus X: Biomedical Applications of Multimodal Raman Spectroscopy

“…Elastic scattering has a long and rich history of providing nanoscale morphometric measurements using light as a convenient, noncontact probing method [ 37 , 85 , 86 , 87 ]. The dominant form of elastic light scattering instruments perform bulk measurements on liquid suspensions of particles.…”

“…The dominant form of elastic light scattering instruments perform bulk measurements on liquid suspensions of particles. However, in recent years there has been an increasing interest in developing instrumentation that incorporates light scattering into microscopic imaging and spectroscopy [ 85 ]. Incorporating Raman spectroscopy into these elastic scattering systems is a logical advancement.…”

Single‐Particle Characterization by Elastic Light Scattering

“…[ 28 ] The advancement of experimental systems has been recently reviewed by Kinnunen and Karmenyan. [ 29 ] The simulation methods have evolved from the Lorenz–Mie (LM) theory for spherical particles [ 30 ] to surface‐ [ 31 ] and volume‐discretization methods, [ 32,33 ] applicable to arbitrarily shaped homogeneous and inhomogeneous particles, respectively. [ 34,35 ] Currently, arbitrary particles with sizes up to tens of wavelengths can be simulated with well‐controlled accuracy, however, the simulations are not necessarily fast enough for all applications.…”