Dynamic and quantitative phase-contrast imaging of living cells under simulated zero gravity by digital holographic microscopy and superconducting magnet

Abstract

The experiment of dynamic and quantitative phase-contrast imaging of living cells in simulated zero gravity environment were performed by using digital holographic microscopy (DHM) combined with a superconducting magnet (SM). The SM with large gradient high magnetic field was used to simulate zero gravity by levitating biological living samples. The proposed DHM system provided highly efficient and versatile means for dynamically and quantitatively phase-contrast imaging MC3T3-E1 cells. To our knowledge, the phase images of living cells undergoing modifications and division under simulated zero gravity were firstly obtained by using DHM-SM prototype.