Open Access2D light scattering patterns of mitochondria in single cells
Author(s) -
Xuantao Su,
C. E. Capjack,
W. Rozmus,
C. Backhouse
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.010562
Subject(s) - optics , scattering , cytoplasm , light scattering , nucleus , physics , finite difference time domain method , mitochondrion , azimuth , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
The ability to characterize the mitochondria in single living cells may provide a powerful tool in clinical applications. We have recently developed a 2D (both polar angle and azimuth angle dependences) light scattering cytometric technique which we apply here to assess experimental 2D light scattering patterns from single biological cells (yeast and human). We compare these patterns to those obtained from simulations using a 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method and demonstrate that microstructure (e.g., the cytoplasm and/or nucleus) of cells generates fringes of scattered light, while in the larger human cells the light scattered by the mitochondria dominates the scatter pattern, forming compact regions of high intensity that we term 'blobs'. These blobs provide information on the mitochondria within the cell and their analysis may ultimately be useful as a diagnostic technique.