We present a CNN-based quantification pipeline for the imaging and analysis of adherent cell cultures. The imaging part features two CNNs dedicated to lens-free microscopy performing accelerated holographic reconstruction and phase unwrapping. The analysis part features CNNs estimating several cellular metrics. These CNNs maps phase image into 2D quantitative representations of cell positions and measurements. The outputs images are processed by a local maxima algorithm to obtain a list of cell measurements. Here, we discuss the performance and limitations of this CNN-based quantification pipeline. The advantage is the fast processing time, i.e. the analysis of ~10.000 cells in 10 seconds.
Luminescent nanoparticles are becoming fundamental tools to the field of bioimaging. The optimization of their size, brightness and stability is key for applications ranging from contrast agent assisted surgery to diagnosis and therapeutics. A plethora of formulations have been documented which can be split into inorganic, organic and hybrid categories. While each class has their own advantages and limitations, controlling the interactions occurring between nanoparticles and cellular membranes is of the utmost importance. In particular, a major challenge for various applications, especially molecular imaging of membrane receptors, is to prevent non-specific interactions. Towards this goal, popular strategies based on coating nanoparticles with PEG or zwitterionic moieties have been developed to yield stealth nanoparticles. In this study, we present a series of spontaneously water-soluble and stealth organic nanoparticles. These fluorescent nanoparticles, made from original articulated bis-dipolar dyes, show vanishing interactions with living cells as bare nanoparticles. Moreover, thanks to their brightness and stability, they can be tracked as isolated single emitters in aqueous environments. These stealth nanoparticles thus hold promise for molecular imaging of specific membrane receptors, such as neuronal receptors, after bioconjugation with dedicated targeting agents.
The brain extracellular space (ECS) is a complex network that constitutes a key microenvironment for cellular communication, homeostasis, and clearance of toxic metabolites1. Signaling molecules, neuromodulators, and nutrients transit via the ECS, therefore mediating the communication between cells. Despite the relevance of this important part of the brain, its dynamics and structural organization at the nanoscale is still mostly unknown2. We have recently demonstrated that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be used to image and probe live brain tissue, providing super-resolved maps of the brain ECS and quantitative information on the local diffusion environment3,4. Here, we propose an important refinement of this approach by implementing a structured illumination technique (named HiLo microscopy5) to image fluorescently labelled neuronal structures in parallel to SWCNT NIR imaging. This technique is based on speckle illumination and relies on the acquisition of one structured and one uniform illumination image to obtain images deep into tissues with good optical sectioning. Having access to spatially resolved SWCNT diffusivity around specific neuronal structures will provide more precise insights about the heterogeneity of the brain environment.
Gold nanorods with citrate termination, poly(4 - styrenesulfonic acid) coating and silica coating were taken up by NG108 - K15 neuronal cells. This process proved to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activate the nuclear factor κ -B (NF - κB). However, subsequent exposure to laser light at the plasmon resonance wavelength showed no long term cell damage or ROS / NF- κB activation. Interestingly, monitoring of intracellular Ca2+ signaling showed evidence of photo - generated transients without alteration of other normal cell functions. These results suggest new opportunities for peripheral nerve regeneration treatments and for infrared neural stimulation.
As-synthesized, poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS)-coated and SiO2 coated gold nanorods were taken up by NG108-15 neuronal cells. Exposure to laser light at the plasmon resonance wavelength of gold nanorods was found to trigger the differentiation process in the nanoparticle treated cells. Results were assessed by measuring the maximum neurite length, the number of neurites per neuron and the percentage of neurons with neurites. When the intracellular Ca2+ signaling was monitored, evidence of photo-generated transients were recorded without altering other normal cell functions. These results open new opportunities for peripheral nerve regeneration treatments and for the process of infrared nerve stimulation.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.