Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
05:57
3D Analysis of Multi-cellular Responses to Chemoattractant Gradients
Published on: May 24, 2019
7.0K
Label-Free Longitudinal Imaging of Single Cell Drug Response with a 3D-Printed Cell Culture Platform
Erin L Dunnington1, King Wai Chiu1, Brian S Wong1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|November 20, 2025
Summary
Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy enables label-free, live-cell imaging for drug discovery. This new 3D-printed platform tracks biochemical and morphological changes, revealing heterogeneous cell responses over time.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Chemical Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Live-cell imaging is crucial for understanding drug responses.
- Fluorescence microscopy has limitations in multiplexing and phototoxicity.
- Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy offers label-free chemical contrast.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 3D-printed cell culture platform for SRS microscopy.
- To enable real-time, longitudinal monitoring of live cells.
- To map heterogeneous single-cell responses to drugs.
Main Methods:
- Designed and fabricated a 3D-printed cell culture device.
- Integrated the device with SRS microscopy for live-cell imaging.
- Developed a processing pipeline for longitudinal SRS data.
- Performed 24-hour time-lapse imaging with real-time drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a low-cost, SRS-compatible cell culture platform.
- Successfully captured time-lapse, label-free biochemical and morphological data.
- Visualized heterogeneous single-cell responses to drug treatment.
- Identified distinct temporal trajectories within cell populations.
Conclusions:
- SRS microscopy with the novel platform accelerates phenotypic screening.
- This approach enhances the prediction of treatment outcomes.
- It paves the way for high-throughput pharmacodynamic assays and personalized medicine.
