Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

08:31
Three-dimensional Optical-resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy
Published on: May 3, 2011
Functional photoacoustic microscopy of pH
Muhammad Rameez Chatni1, Junjie Yao, Amos Danielli
1Washington University in St. Louis, Optical Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Optics
|October 28, 2011
Summary
Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) can now image pH in tissues. This technique uses a pH-sensitive dye to visualize metabolic activity at depths up to 2.0 mm, surpassing other optical methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Biophysics
Background:
- pH is a critical indicator of metabolic activity in mammalian systems.
- Imbalances in pH regulation are linked to serious illnesses.
- Current optical microscopy techniques have limitations in tissue depth penetration for pH imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the capability of photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) for pH imaging in biological tissue phantoms.
- To evaluate the performance of a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye (SNARF-5F carboxylic acid) with PAM.
- To assess the penetration depth achievable with PAM for pH measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) for imaging.
- Employed a commercially available pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, SNARF-5F carboxylic acid.
- Conducted experiments using tissue phantoms to simulate biological environments.
Main Results:
- Successfully achieved pH imaging in absolute values using PAM.
- Demonstrated effective imaging at tissue depths up to 2.0 mm.
- Showcased PAM's superior penetration depth compared to other optical microscopy methods.
Conclusions:
- Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a viable technique for quantitative pH imaging in biological tissues.
- PAM offers enhanced depth penetration for optical imaging of metabolic indicators.
- This advancement holds potential for diagnosing and monitoring pH-related pathologies.

