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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Visualization of Organelles In Situ by Cryo-STEM Tomography

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Published on: June 23, 2023

Characterizing Organelles in Live Stem Cells Using Label-Free Optical Diffraction Tomography.

Youngkyu Kim¹, Tae-Keun Kim¹, Yeonhee Shin²

¹Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Korea.

Molecules and Cells

|November 25, 2021

Summary

Label-free optical diffraction tomography (ODT) quantitatively distinguishes stem cells by analyzing organelle refractive index and volume. This advanced imaging method differentiates stem cells from normal cells without needing fluorescent labels or biomarkers.

Keywords:

high density vesicle human stem cell optical diffraction tomography organelle volume three-dimensional quantification

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Label-free, High-Resolution 3D Imaging and Machine Learning Analysis of Intestinal Organoids via Low-Coherence Holotomography

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Published on: August 12, 2025

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Cell Biology
Optical Imaging

Background:

Conventional cell imaging (fluorescence, electron microscopy) has limitations.
Label-free imaging offers an alternative to pre-processing and fluorescent markers.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize and differentiate stem cells using label-free optical diffraction tomography (ODT).
To compare the physical properties of different stem cell types and fibroblasts.

Main Methods:

Utilized optical diffraction tomography (ODT) for label-free imaging.
Quantified cellular organelle refractive index and volume for analysis.
Compared physical properties of human liver stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and fibroblasts.

Main Results:

Distinct physical properties (refractive index, organelle volume) were identified for different stem cell types.
ODT successfully differentiated specific stem cells from fibroblasts based on these properties.
The method demonstrated quantitative characterization of cellular organelles.

Conclusions:

Label-free ODT can quantitatively distinguish characteristic physical properties of specific stem cells.
This technique offers a method for identifying living stem cells without fluorescence or biomarkers.
ODT provides a valuable tool for stem cell characterization and differentiation.