Abstract
.Significance: Gene expression analysis is an important fundamental area of biomedical research. However, live gene expression imaging has proven challenging due to constraints in conventional optical devices and fluorescent reporters.Aim: Our aim is to develop smaller, more cost-effective, and versatile imaging capabilities compared with conventional devices. Bioluminescence reporter-based gene expression analysis was targeted due to its advantages over fluorescence-based imaging.Approach: We created a small compact imaging system using micro-CMOS image sensors (). The model had an improved pixel design and a patterned absorption filter array to detect the low light intensity of bioluminescence.Results: The device demonstrated lower dark current, lower temporal noise, and higher sensitivity compared with previous designs. The filter array enabled us to subtract dark current drift and attain a clearer light signal. These improvements allowed us to measure bioluminescence reporter-based gene expression in living mammalian cells.Conclusion: Using our system for bioluminescence imaging in the future, the device can be implanted in vivo for simultaneous gene expression imaging, behavioral analysis, and optogenetic modulation.
Highlights
The usual optical devices for bioimaging applications are the photomultiplier tube (PMT), the charged-coupled device (CCD), and the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.[1]
CMOS devices can be flexible and multifunctional because they can be incorporated into very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, which can be adapted for numerous applications.[4]
CMOS image sensors (CIS) are commonly used as camera chips for smartphones since they are easy to integrate and are cost-effective. Another important advantage of the CMOS is the ability to make micro-sized CISs, much smaller than conventional CCD or PMT machines. Due to their small size, μCISs can be implanted into biological tissue with very minimal damage, as we have shown previously.[5,6,7]
Summary
The usual optical devices for bioimaging applications are the photomultiplier tube (PMT), the charged-coupled device (CCD), and the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.[1]. The CMOS fabrication process is commonly used in making integrated circuits. CMOS image sensors (CIS) are commonly used as camera chips for smartphones since they are easy to integrate and are cost-effective. Another important advantage of the CMOS is the ability to make micro-sized CISs (μCIS), much smaller than conventional CCD or PMT machines. Due to their small size, μCISs can be implanted into biological tissue with very minimal damage, as we have shown previously.[5,6,7] μCISs offer a competitive advantage
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