Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy or TIRF is an advanced microscopic technique used to visualize fluorophores in samples close to a solid surface with a higher refractive index, such as a glass coverslip. TIRF only allows fluorophores in proximity to the solid surface to be excited. When light from a medium with a lower refractive index (such as air) hits the glass coverslip at a critical angle, the light undergoes total internal reflection stead of passing through the glass.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Filament Confinement Engineered Heterostructure Memristors for Reliable Artificial Synaptic Applications and Neuromorphic Computing.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2026

Same author

Research progress on <i>Avibacterium paragallinarum</i> and related bacterial and viral diseases in poultry and their mixed infections.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026

Same author

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 3-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde derivatives as TLR2 small molecule antagonists.

Bioorganic chemistry·2026

Same author

Synergistic adaptation of rice root phosphorus uptake kinetics and leaf carbon-nitrogen metabolism under low-phosphorus conditions.

Frontiers in plant science·2026

Same author

<i>Avibacterium paragallinarum</i>: Pathogenesis Mechanisms and Subunit Vaccine Development.

Microorganisms·2026

Same author

Enhancing the Quality of Black Bean by <i>Ganoderma oregonense</i> Solid-State Fermentation and Its Application in Steamed Bread.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Longitudinal Morphological and Physiological Monitoring of Three-dimensional Tumor Spheroids Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Longitudinal Morphological and Physiological Monitoring of Three-dimensional Tumor Spheroids Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: February 9, 2019

Photothermal optical coherence tomography for 3D live cell detection and mapping.

Jingyu Sun¹, Tianqi Fang¹, Hongjun Wang¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Optics Continuum

|April 26, 2024

Summary

Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography (PT-OCT) enables 3D imaging of live, nanoparticle-labeled cells within scattering media. This technique allows for single-cell detection and mapping without cell death, complementing existing microscopy methods.

More Related Videos

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

Published on: October 2, 2021

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Published on: August 21, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2025

Longitudinal Morphological and Physiological Monitoring of Three-dimensional Tumor Spheroids Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Longitudinal Morphological and Physiological Monitoring of Three-dimensional Tumor Spheroids Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: February 9, 2019

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

Published on: October 2, 2021

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Automated 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Elucidate Biofilm Morphogenesis Over Large Spatial Scales

Published on: August 21, 2019

Area of Science:

Biomedical Optics
Cell Biology
Microscopy

Background:

Confocal microscopy offers limited imaging depth in scattering media.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides depth but lacks cellular contrast.
Molecular specificity is crucial for studying cells in 3D environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate Photothermal OCT (PT-OCT) for live, nanoparticle-labeled cell imaging in 3D.
To achieve molecular contrast at OCT imaging scales.
To enable 3D cell mapping within optically scattering media.

Main Methods:

Utilized nanoparticle-labeled cells for PT-OCT imaging.
Performed 3D imaging of live cells.
Assessed cell viability post-imaging.

Main Results:

Successfully detected and mapped single live cells in 3D using PT-OCT.
Demonstrated 3D cell mapping through optically scattering media.
Confirmed no significant cell death during PT-OCT imaging.

Conclusions:

PT-OCT provides a viable method for live 3D cell detection and mapping.
This technique offers molecular contrast complementary to traditional microscopy.
PT-OCT is valuable for studying cells in native or culture 3D environments.