Perspectives on label-free microscopy of heterogeneous and dynamic biological systems

© 2024 The Authors..

Significance: Advancements in label-free microscopy could provide real-time, non-invasive imaging with unique sources of contrast and automated standardized analysis to characterize heterogeneous and dynamic biological processes. These tools would overcome challenges with widely used methods that are destructive (e.g., histology, flow cytometry) or lack cellular resolution (e.g., plate-based assays, whole animal bioluminescence imaging).

Aim: This perspective aims to (1) justify the need for label-free microscopy to track heterogeneous cellular functions over time and space within unperturbed systems and (2) recommend improvements regarding instrumentation, image analysis, and image interpretation to address these needs.

Approach: Three key research areas (cancer research, autoimmune disease, and tissue and cell engineering) are considered to support the need for label-free microscopy to characterize heterogeneity and dynamics within biological systems. Based on the strengths (e.g., multiple sources of molecular contrast, non-invasive monitoring) and weaknesses (e.g., imaging depth, image interpretation) of several label-free microscopy modalities, improvements for future imaging systems are recommended.

Conclusion: Improvements in instrumentation including strategies that increase resolution and imaging speed, standardization and centralization of image analysis tools, and robust data validation and interpretation will expand the applications of label-free microscopy to study heterogeneous and dynamic biological systems.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2025

2024

Erschienen:

2025

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:29

Enthalten in:

Journal of biomedical optics - 29(2024), Suppl 2 vom: 29. März, Seite S22702

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Pham, Dan L [VerfasserIn]
Gillette, Amani A [VerfasserIn]
Riendeau, Jeremiah [VerfasserIn]
Wiech, Kasia [VerfasserIn]
Guzman, Emmanuel Contreras [VerfasserIn]
Datta, Rupsa [VerfasserIn]
Skala, Melissa C [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Artificial intelligence
Cell dynamics
Heterogeneity
Journal Article
Label-free
Microscopy
Open-source software

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 05.03.2024

Date Revised 06.03.2024

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1117/1.JBO.29.S2.S22702

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM369241037