Darkfield and Hyperspectral lmaging System

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433722450

Within the framework of the programme "Forschungsgroßgeräte" a hyperspectral dark-field microscopy system for the investigation of cell biological, biotribological and toxicological issues is requested. The dark-field imaging system comprises a combination of hyperspectral imaging, modern darkfield optics and software enabling the timely analysis and characterization of different biomaterials and biological tissue without the need to label them and thus change their configuration or properties. In order to determine localization of the nanostructures in the cell (for example the cell nucleus), the additional dual-fluorescence module can simultaneously visualize and distinguish fluorescence-labeled cell structures and non-labeled nanostructures in real time. The currently used, on-site microscopy techniques are adequate for the detection of material structures in cells, tissues and microorganisms, however, these common techniques require elaborate sample preparation. Moreover,, conventional devices show limitations with regard to the material size and composition that can be examined. In contrast, dark-field microscopy can be used to analyze the interactions between cells and the nanostructures and also interactions within the cell in the nanometer range without any manipulation or large preparation effort in vital cell and tissue structures. The use of a live cell imaging chamber provides the opportunity to observe cellular interactions with nanostructures and microstructures in real time in the requested device. This allows e.g. new insights into the chemical composition and size dependent phagocytosis of various materials. The novel imaging system also includes software tools with material spectral libraries that can be used to characterize nanostructures locally. The comparison with existing reference spectra allows for the chemical composition of unknown nanostructures or particle entities, e.g. in tissues, to be classified or evaluated by wavelength and size. The additional 3D scanning module also offers the possibility to generate a three-dimensional representation of the nanostructures, cells and tissues for the subsequent morphological or morphometric analysis. With regard to the identification and localization of nanoparticles in tissue samples, the proposed hyperspectral dark-field microscopy system provides features comparable to scanning electron microscopy and Raman microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Dunkelfeldmikroskop mit hyperspektraler Bildgebung
• Instrumentation Group: 5040 Spezielle Mikroskope (außer 500-503)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Rostock
• Leader: Professor Dr. Rainer Bader