Work

Diffusive and directional intracellular dynamics measured by field-based dynamic light scattering

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Quantitative measurement of diffusive and directional processes of intracellular structures is not only critical in understanding cell mechanics and functions, but also has many applications, such as investigation of cellular responses to therapeutic agents. We introduce a label-free optical technique that allows non-perturbative characterization of localized intracellular dynamics. The method combines a field-based dynamic light scattering analysis with a confocal interferometric microscope to provide a statistical measure of the diffusive and directional motion of scattering structures inside a microscopic probe volume. To demonstrate the potential of this technique, we examined the localized intracellular dynamics in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells. We observed the distinctive temporal regimes of intracellular dynamics, which transitions from random to directional processes on a timescale of ~0.01 sec. In addition, we observed disrupted directional processes on the timescale of 1 approximately 5 sec by the application of a microtubule polymerization inhibitor, Colchicine, and ATP depletion.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.002858

Authors: Chulmin Joo, Conor L. Evans, Thomas Stepinac, Tayyaba Hasan, Johannes F. de Boer

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Digital Holography and Microscopy

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funders: U.S. Department of Defense, National Eye Institute, National Center for Research Resources