A system for photographing cell-sized particles moving at high velocities

Abstract

A system is described that was used to photograph 3.9 micron diameter DNA-coated beads traveling at speeds up to 30,000 cm/s. The resolution of the optics is 1 micron, so smaller particles moving more slowly could also be photographed. A useful feature is the 15 cm working distance between the optical components and the object to be photographed. Some alternative applications for this type of equipment include studies of cell behavior in turbulence, microbial disruption processes, and membrane poration techniques.