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Quantitative Optical Microscopy: Measurement of Cellular Biophysical Features with a Standard Optical Microscope
Published on: April 7, 2014
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Deep-tissue optical imaging of near cellular-sized features
Xiangnan Dang1,2, Neelkanth M Bardhan1,2,3, Jifa Qi1,2
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Scientific Reports
|March 9, 2019
Summary
This study introduces DOLPHIN, an advanced near-infrared optical imaging system. DOLPHIN enables deep-tissue visualization and real-time tracking of tiny biological probes, overcoming current limitations in cellular detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Detecting cellular-level biological features in complex tissues is challenging due to low sensitivity and limitations of current imaging techniques.
- Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging offers high resolution and deep-tissue penetration but is hindered by autofluorescence and scattering.
- Existing second-window near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorophores have a maximum imaging depth of 3.2 cm.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel NIR-II imaging system, DOLPHIN, capable of overcoming autofluorescence and scattering for enhanced deep-tissue imaging.
- To achieve unprecedented resolution and depth for detecting biological features at the cellular level.
- To enable noninvasive, real-time tracking of small biological probes in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Designed and implemented a new NIR-II imaging system named DOLPHIN (Detection of Optically Luminescent Probes using Hyperspectral and diffuse Imaging in Near-infrared).
- Utilized hyperspectral and diffuse imaging techniques within the 1000-1700 nm wavelength range.
- Developed methods for identifying spectral and scattering signatures of tissues without prior knowledge of background autofluorescence.
Main Results:
- Achieved resolution of probes through up to 8 cm of tissue phantom, significantly exceeding previous depth limits.
- Successfully identified spectral and scattering signatures of tissues, enabling background and autofluorescence differentiation.
- Demonstrated 3D reconstruction of live whole animals and noninvasive, real-time tracking of a 0.1 mm fluorophore in a mouse's gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusions:
- The DOLPHIN system represents a significant advancement in deep-tissue optical imaging, pushing the boundaries of sensitivity and depth.
- This technology enables the detection of biological features at depths and resolutions previously unattainable, including tracking of minuscule targets.
- DOLPHIN holds promise for revolutionizing early disease detection and biological research by visualizing cellular processes in vivo noninvasively.
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