Project
Optical methods for biophysical stimulation and monitoring in 2D and 3D cell cultures
During my PhD session, I will focus on exploring the cellular responses to localized temperature and electromagnetic stimulation. In order to realize this, first of all, light-addressable neuroactive matrices will be constructed by combining Digital micro-mirror device (DMD) with microscope in order to realize dynamic stimulation in neuronal matrices. For conventional microscope, confined with its illumination pattern, it’s hard to realize structured illumination without the help of spatial light modulator, DMD or other devices. Due to its high frame rate, temporal precision and Signal to Noise ratio, DMD is an ideal device to project a series of illumination patterns in order to stimulate expected regions of sample. By taking this operation, the response of cells is able to be detected which is of great significance in the process of exploiting the properties of cells while stimulated by light. In order to detect cell’s response, optically active nanoparticles such as metal particles and quantum dots will be applied by monitoring changes in the optical properties of nanoparticles. What’s more, I will analyses the intrinsic links between the structure, structural changes and the functionality of biological macromolecules and explore the response of cells and tissues while interacting with light. Additionally, in order to detect the response of cell while stimulated by light within a period, live cell tracking is a necessary step which ensures the constant stimulation for chosen cells. In order to realize this, cell recognition will be applied by dealing with the image captured by CMOS. By doing so, the whole process of live cell detection which based on DMD is able to be realized.