Distributed interferometric fiber tip biosensors for a multi-channel and label-free biomolecular interaction analysis

This paper describes fabrication and implementation of distributed optical fiber tip biosensor probes for simultaneously measuring label-free biomolecular interactions at multiple locations. Biosensor probes at the tip of a single-mode fiber are Fabry-Perot etalons that are functionalized with a capture layer for a specific biomolecule. A coherence multiplexing method is implemented to separate data collected from distributed biosensors in a single data stream. Multiplexing is achieved by using fiber tip biosensors of varying etalon lengths with the same or different capture layers for each biosensing channel. Experiments demonstrating simultaneous multi-channel recording of protein-to-protein interaction sensorgrams with fiber tip biosensor probes are presented.

Gliomas Interact with Non-glioma Brain Cells via Extracellular Vesicles

Emerging evidence suggests that crosstalk between glioma cells and the brain microenvironment may influence brain tumor growth. To date, known reciprocal interactions among these cells have been limited to the release of paracrine factors. Combining a genetic strategy with longitudinal live imaging, we find that individual gliomas communicate with distinct sets of non-glioma cells, including glial cells, neurons, and vascular cells. Transfer of genetic material is achieved mainly through extracellular vesicles (EVs), although cell fusion also plays a minor role. We further demonstrate that EV-mediated communication leads to the increase of synaptic activity in neurons. Blocking EV release causes a reduction of glioma growth in vivo. Our findings indicate that EV-mediated interaction between glioma cells and non-glioma brain cells alters the tumor microenvironment and contributes to glioma development.

Label-free optical detection of action potential in mammalian neurons

We describe an optical technique for label-free detection of the action potential in cultured mammalian neurons. Induced morphological changes due to action potential propagation in neurons are optically interrogated with a phase sensitive interferometric technique. Optical recordings composed of signal pulses mirror the electrical spike train activity of individual neurons in a network. The optical pulses are transient nanoscale oscillatory changes in the optical path length of varying peak magnitude and temporal width. Exogenous application of glutamate to cortical neuronal cultures produced coincident increase in the electrical and optical activity; both were blocked by application of a Na-channel blocker, Tetrodotoxin. The observed transient change in optical path length in a single optical pulse is primarily due to physical fluctuations of the neuronal cell membrane mediated by a yet unknown electromechanical transduction phenomenon. Our analysis suggests a traveling surface wave in the neuronal cell membrane is responsible for the measured optical signal pulses.

Coherence-multiplexed, label-free biomolecular interaction analysis

This Letter describes an interferometric technique based on the principle of coherence multiplexing for multichannel, label-free biosensing applications. Multiple biosensors can be interrogated simultaneously with a single spectral-domain, phase-sensitive interferometer by coding the individual sensograms in coherence-multiplexed channels. The experimental results demonstrate the multiplexed quantitative biomolecular interaction of antibodies binding to antigen-coated functionalized biosensor chip surfaces. The described technique also applies to a variety of other distributed and multiplexed sensing applications besides biosensing.

Real-time detection of implant-associated neutrophil responses using a formyl peptide receptor-targeting NIR nanoprobe

Neutrophils play an important role in implant-mediated inflammation and infection. Unfortunately, current methods which monitor neutrophil activity, including enzyme measurements and histological evaluation, require many animals and cannot be used to accurately depict the dynamic cellular responses. To understand the neutrophil interactions around implant-mediated inflammation and infection it is critical to develop methods which can monitor in vivo cellular activity in real time. In this study, formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-targeting near-infrared nanoprobes were fabricated. This was accomplished by conjugating near-infrared dye with specific peptides having a high affinity to the FPRs present on activated neutrophils. The ability of FPR-targeting nanoprobes to detect and quantify activated neutrophils was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. As expected, FPR-targeting nanoprobes preferentially accumulated on activated neutrophils in vitro. Following transplantation, FPR-targeting nanoprobes preferentially accumulated at the biomaterial implantation site. Equally important, a strong relationship was observed between the extent of fluorescence intensity in vivo and the number of recruited neutrophils at the implantation site. Furthermore, FPR-targeting nanoprobes may be used to detect and quantify the number of neutrophils responding to a catheter-associated infection. The results show that FPR-targeting nanoprobes may serve as a powerful tool to monitor and measure the extent of neutrophil responses to biomaterial implants in vivo.

Multi-color Raman nanotags for tumor cell biomarker detection

We report the synthesis and characterization of multi-color gold nanoparticle based tags (Raman Nanotags) for molecular imaging. The multi-color Raman Nanotags are PEGylated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) encapsulating a Raman reporter dyes which can be functionalized with any ligand of interest for targeted molecular imaging. The Raman Nanotags synthesized with 65 nm gold nanoparticles exhibit the largest surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal. Results are presented quantify the measured SERS signal, dynamic range, reproducibility, and stability of Raman Nanotags. In vitro cell culture experiments for targeted biomarker detection using functionalized Raman Nanotags are also presented.

Gold nanotags for combined multi-colored Raman spectroscopy and x-ray computed tomography

Multi-color gold-nanoparticle-based tags (nanotags) are synthesized for combined surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and x-ray computed tomography (CT). The nanotags are synthesized with quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles encoded with a reporter dye (color), each with a unique Raman spectrum. A library of nanotags with six different colors were synthesized for a range of gold nanoparticle sizes and an optimum size has been established to yield the largest SERS intensity and x-ray attenuation that is higher than the iodinated CT contrast agents used in clinics. Proof-of-principle in vivo imaging results with nanotags are presented that, for the first time, demonstrates the combined in vivo dual modality imaging capability of SERS and CT with a single nanoparticle probe.

Neuro-optical microfluidic platform to study injury and regeneration of single axons

We describe a neuro-optical microfluidic platform for studying injury and subsequent regeneration of individual mammalian axons. This platform consists of three components integrated on an inverted microscope, which include a compartmentalized neuronal culture microfluidic device, a femtosecond laser to enable precise axotomy, and a custom built mini cell culture incubator for continuous long term observation of post injury events. We demonstrate the unique capabilities of the platform by injuring individual central and peripheral nervous system axons and monitoring the post injury sequence of events from initial degeneration to subsequent regeneration. This platform will enable study and understanding of neuronal response to injury that is currently not possible with conventional cell culture platform and tools.

Spatial refractive index measurement of porcine artery using differential phase optical coherence microscopy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We describe a methodology to record spatial variation of refractive index of porcine renal artery using differential phase optical coherence microscopy (DP-OCM).

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DP-OCM provides quantitative measurement of thin specimen phase retardation and refractive index by measuring optical path-length changes on the order of a few nanometers and with a lateral resolution of 3 microm. The DP-OCM instrumentation is an all-fiber, dual-channel Michelson interferometer constructed using a polarization maintaining (PM) fiber.

RESULTS

Two-dimensional en face dual-channel phase images are taken over a 150 x 200 microm region on a microscopic slide, and the images are reconstructed by plotting a two-dimensional refractive index map as the OCM beam is moved across the sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the DP-OCM can record transient changes in the optical path-length, the system may be used to record quantitative optical path-length alterations of tissue in response to various stimuli. A fiber-based DP-OCM may have the potential to substantially improve in vivo imaging of individual cells for a variety of clinical diagnostics, and monitoring applications.

Quantitative phase-contrast imaging of cells with phase-sensitive optical coherence microscopy

We describe a method for en face phase-contrast imaging of cells with a fiber-based differential phase-contrast optical coherence microscopy system. Recorded en face images are quantitative phase-contrast maps of cells due to spatial variation of the refractive index and (or) thickness of various cellular components. Quantitative phase-contrast images of human epithelial cheek cells obtained with the fiber-based differential phase-contrast optical coherence microscopy system are presented.

Imaging tissue response to electrical and photothermal stimulation with nanometer sensitivity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Tissue response to thermal, electrical, or chemical stimuli are important in the health and survival of tissue. We report experimental results to assess tissue response to various stimuli using a low coherence differential phase interferometer.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

The optical system utilized to measure tissue response is a novel fiber-based phase sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer (PS-OLCR). Inasmuch as the PS-OLCR works with back-reflected light, noninvasive sensing of tissue response to stimuli is possible. In addition to high lateral (approximately 10 microm) and longitudinal (approximately 10 microm) resolution, PS-OLCR can measure sub-wavelength changes in optical path-length (Angstrom/nanometer range) by extracting the phase difference between interference fringes in two channels corresponding to orthogonal polarization modes.

RESULTS

When light spatially splits into two polarization states, precise analysis of surface topography or tissue surface response such as swelling or collapse are possible. Time resolved measurements of nanometer-scale path length changes in response to electrical and thermal stimuli are demonstrated using longitudinally delayed polarization channels.

CONCLUSIONS

Since PS-OLCR is a useful tool to detect ultra-small path length changes, the system has potential to aid scientists in investigating important phenomena in biomaterials and developing useful diagnostic and therapeutic imaging modalities. Applications include tissue surface profilometry, measurement of tissue, and cell response to various stimuli, high-resolution intensity and phase imaging.

Polarization-maintaining fiber-based optical low-coherence reflectometer for characterization and ranging of birefringence

We describe a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometer for measurement of depth-resolved birefringence. Unlike for other fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical low-coherence reflectometers, here the linear birefringence of a sample can be measured from data recorded in a single A scan. Simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes with mica wave plates is demonstrated. The measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.

Refractive-index profiling of embedded microstructures in optical materials

We describe use of a phase-sensitive low-coherence reflectometer to measure spatial variation of refractive index in optical materials. The described interferometric technique is demonstrated to be a valuable tool to profile the refractive index of optical elements such as integrated waveguides and photowritten optical microstructures. As an example, a refractive-index profile is mapped of a microstructure written in a microscope glass slide with an ultrashort-pulse laser.

Doppler-angle measurement in highly scattering media

We describe a dual-channel optical low-coherence reflectometer for accurate measurement of Doppler angles in highly scattering media. Accurate fluid-flow velocity estimation requires measurement of the Doppler shift and angle. Estimated values of the Doppler angle and average fluid-flow velocity from experimental data are in good agreement with preset values.

Optical low-coherence reflectometer for differential phase measurement

A birefringent-fiber-based dual-channel optical low-coherence reflectometer capable of differential phase measurement is described. Phase noise owing to environmental perturbations that is common to both channels is canceled, resulting in accurate measurement of the phase difference between light backscattered from two spatially separated sites. Results are presented that demonstrate the accuracy and sensitivity of the system.