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Quantitative phase imaging for characterization of single cell growth dynamics

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Abstract

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has emerged as an indispensable tool in the field of biomedicine, offering the ability to obtain quantitative maps of phase changes due to optical path length delays without the need for contrast agents. These maps provide valuable information about cellular morphology and dynamics, unperturbed by the introduction of exogenous substances. In this review, a summary of recent studies that have focused on elucidating the growth dynamics of individual cells using QPI is presented. Specifically, investigations into cellular changes occurring during mitosis, the differentiation of cellular organelles, the assessment of distinct cell death processes (i.e., apoptosis, necrosis, and oncosis) and the precise measurement of live cell temperature are explored. Furthermore, the captivating applications of QPI in theragnostics, where its potential for transformative impact is prominently showcased, are highlighted. Finally, the challenges that need to be overcome for its wider adoption and successful integration into biomedical research are outlined.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alkhidmat Raazi Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Summiah Saleem Butt & Maham Fatima

  2. The Women University Multan, Multan, Pakistan

    Irum Fida

  3. Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

    Muskan Saif Khan

  4. School of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China

    Sonia Mustafa

  5. Physics and Astronomy Department, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA

    Muhammad Noman Khan

  6. Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM), Peshawar, Pakistan

    Iftikhar Ahmad

Authors
  1. Summiah Saleem Butt
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  2. Irum Fida
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  4. Muskan Saif Khan
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  6. Muhammad Noman Khan
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Contributions

Conceptualization: I.F., M.N.K, S.S.B., M.F., M.S.K., S.M., and I.A. Data curation: I.F., M.S.K., S.M., and I.A. Formal analysis: I.F., S.A., S.S.B., and I.A. Investigation: M.F., I.F., M.S.K., S.M., and I.A. Methodology: M.A., S.S.B., M.F., and I.A. Project administration: I.A. Resources: I.A. Supervision: I.A. Validation: S.S.B., M.F., M.N.K., M.S.K., and S.M. Visualization: S.S.B., M.F., S.M., and I.A. Writing—original draft: M.A., I.R., M.N.K., S.S.B., M.F., M.S.K., S.M., and I.A. Writing—review and editing: I.F., M.N.K, M.A., S.S.B., M.F., M.S.K., S.M., and I.A.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iftikhar Ahmad.

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Butt, S.S., Fida, I., Fatima, M. et al. Quantitative phase imaging for characterization of single cell growth dynamics. Lasers Med Sci 38, 241 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03902-2

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