Methods and applications for marker-free quantitative digital holographic phase contrast imaging in life cell analysis

Abstract

Holographic interferometric metrology is an established technique for technical non-destructive testing. In connection with microscopy, digital holography provides contact-less and marker-free quantitative phase contrast imaging. The reconstruction of digitally captured holograms is performed numerically. Thus, multi-focus imaging of different object planes is achieved from a single captured hologram. In combination with (subsequent) numerical autofocus adjustment, this feature opens up applications for microscopic time-lapse investigations by avoidance of mechanical focus-maintenance. Results obtained from digital holographic investigations of toxin induced reactions of adherent cancer cells demonstrate applications prospects of digital holographic microscopy in quantitative life cell imaging. Furthermore, data obtained by cell spreading process analysis, the cell response to osmotic changes and the observation of shape variations of human erythrocytes supplies new information in marker-free life cell imaging.