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Published on: July 12, 2022
Multimodal optical microscope for detecting viability of mouse embryos in vitro
William C Warger1, Gary S Laevsky, Daniel J Townsend
1Northeastern University, The Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Optics
|September 18, 2007
Summary
This study introduces a versatile multimodal optical microscope integrating six imaging techniques. This platform enables comprehensive visualization of biological specimens, showcasing its utility with embryo imaging.
Area of Science:
- Optical microscopy
- Biophotonics
- Imaging technologies
Background:
- Advanced microscopy techniques are crucial for biological research.
- Integrating multiple imaging modalities onto a single platform offers significant advantages in efficiency and data correlation.
- Existing microscopes often require switching between different systems for diverse imaging needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel multimodal optical microscope.
- To integrate six distinct imaging modalities (three staring and three scanning) onto a single, common platform.
- To showcase the system's capability in imaging biological specimens, such as embryos.
Main Methods:
- The microscope integrates optical quadrature microscopy (OQM), differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, epi-fluorescence microscopy, confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM), confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), and two-photon microscopy (2PM).
- Staring modes (OQM, DIC, epi-fluorescence) capture specimen amplitude, phase, and fluorescence.
- Scanning modes (CRM, CFM, 2PM) provide optical sectioning for 3-D imaging and detect refractive index changes and fluorophores.
Main Results:
- Successful integration of six imaging modalities on a single optical microscope platform.
- Demonstration of coaxial illumination and imaging with minimal component changes between modes.
- Acquisition of multimodal images of embryos, highlighting the system's comprehensive imaging capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The developed multimodal optical microscope offers a versatile solution for advanced biological imaging.
- The platform facilitates simultaneous acquisition of diverse optical information from specimens.
- This integrated system enhances imaging efficiency and provides richer datasets for biological investigations.
