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Red-Blood-Cell-Based Microlens: Application to Single-Cell Membrane Imaging and Stretching
Xiaoshuai Liu1, Yuchao Li1, Xiaohao Xu1
1Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 15, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel red blood cell (RBC) microlens using a laser and tapered fiber. This biocompatible microlens enables flexible 3D optical imaging and noninvasive cell membrane stretching for advanced biological applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Optical Engineering
- Biomedical Applications
Background:
- Red blood cell (RBC)-based microlenses offer biocompatibility for biological applications.
- Existing RBC microlenses are typically substrate-fixed, limiting their flexibility and applications in optical imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a flexible, movable RBC microlens for advanced optical imaging and cell manipulation.
- To demonstrate the application of the RBC microlens in 3D scanning and noninvasive cell membrane stretching.
Main Methods:
- Assembled an RBC microlens by directing a 980 nm laser beam into a tapered fiber probe.
- Utilized the RBC microlens for 3D scanning of a single-cell membrane.
- Employed the RBC microlens for noncontact, noninvasive cell membrane stretching.
Main Results:
- Achieved 3D optical imaging of a single-cell membrane with a magnification factor of 1.7.
- Demonstrated cell membrane stretching with an enhancement factor of 1.5.
- The RBC microlens exhibited flexible movement and noninvasive manipulation capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The laser-assembled RBC microlens provides a flexible and biocompatible tool for optical imaging and cell membrane manipulation.
- This novel approach overcomes the limitations of fixed microlenses, expanding possibilities in biophysics and biomedical research.
