Abstract
Label-free microscopy techniques have numerous advantages such as low phototoxicity, simple setup and no need for fluorophores or other contrast materials. Despite their advantages, most label-free techniques cannot visualize specific cellular compartments or the location of proteins and the image formation limits quantitative evaluation. Differential interference contrast (DIC) is a qualitative microscopy technique that shows the optical path length differences within a specimen. We propose a variational framework for DIC image reconstruction. The proposed method largely outperforms state-of-the-art methods on synthetic, artificial and real tests and turns DIC microscopy into an automated high-content imaging tool. Image sets and the source code of the examined algorithms are made publicly available.
Highlights
Label-free microscopy techniques have numerous advantages such as low phototoxicity, simple setup and no need for fluorophores or other contrast materials
In 1955, Georges Nomarski established the theoretical basis for differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy[4] that gains information about the optical path length of the sample and shows features that are invisible in a brightfield microscope
The quality of the algorithm is tested on three different datasets that we made publicly available in the Broad Bioimage Benchmark Collection (BBBC)[21]
Summary
Label-free microscopy techniques have numerous advantages such as low phototoxicity, simple setup and no need for fluorophores or other contrast materials. Despite their advantages, most label-free techniques cannot visualize specific cellular compartments or the location of proteins and the image formation limits quantitative evaluation. Differential interference contrast (DIC) is a qualitative microscopy technique that shows the optical path length differences within a specimen. Fluorescent images are quantitative, can be analyzed by suitable software Despite their advantages, phase contrast and DIC are qualitative methods. Label-free techniques have advantages over fluorescent microscopy: namely, cells can be observed without staining, so these techniques are not phototoxic and there is no need for chemical fixation of the sample in contrast to numerous fluorescent staining protocols. A Wollaston prism splits the light into two perpendicularly polarized light rays which are www.nature.com/scientificreports/
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
