By capturing the intrinsic refractive index (RI) of cells using a low level of light intensity, Holotomography has emerged as a unique solution for live cell imaging that surpasses the compromise between obtaining high image quality and maintaining healthy cells.
The lastest generation of Holotomography – Tomocube HT-X1 – utilizes a low-coherence light source. This groundbreaking advancement unlocks label-free 3D and 4D quantitative live cell imaging on diverse multi-well plates with improved resolution and free of laser-induced speckle noise.
The new system works well with a wide range of biological samples, including confluent cell sheets and thick specimens. It provides not only high-content 3D visualization but also quantitative data for individual cells and their intracellular structures, such as the volume, surface area, and dry mass.
Observations of cellular morphology and activity are typically based on labeling of target molecules. These methods are invasive, affect the nature of the target molecules and potentially interfere with their biological relevance. In addition, these forms of label are not effective in providing quantitative information. The tools used to visualize labels are generally damaging to cells as often laser-based illumination is used to excite fluorochromes which in turn causes phototoxic damage to the cells.
The “holy grail” of imaging is to visualize cells without labeling to ensure the cells behave and grow normally. Holotomography (HT) does this by capturing the intrinsic light scattering properties of cellular materials using very low levels of light intensity, just enough to allow the light to pass through the cell. In doing so, the refractive index (RI) information of structures within the cell can be collected and selectively pseudo-colored to reveal the cell and its organelles.
In capturing the RI distribution, the Tomocube HT-X1 Holotomography can also provide quantitative data in 3D such as the volume, surface area, and dry mass of cells and their intracellular structures.
Holotomography and Fluorescence |
Fluorescence |
| Objective Lens |
|
|---|---|
| Condenser Lens |
|
| Lateral Resolution (Dish/6/12/24 well) |
1069/1211/1387/1695 nm |
| Axial Resolution
(Dish/6/12/24 well) |
|
| Holotomography Light Source |
450 nm LED |
| Fluorescence Light Source |
LEDs 3 channels (R/G/B) + 1 channel (R or G or B) |
| Basic |
|
| Power | 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 5-3 A, 400 W |
| Temperature / Humidity | 20-28 °C / 35-85 %, non-condensing |
As the control software for the HT-X1, TomoStudio X is designed to operate the system as you design the experiment. TomoStudio X offers flexible workflows for multi-dimensional image acquisition of holotomography and fluorescence in multi-well imaging conditions. All the essential control and status of the system are displayed all at one glance.
