Low-cost, open-access quantitative phase imaging of algal cells using the transport of intensity equation

Grant, Stephen D. and Richford, Kyle and Burdett, Heidi L. and McKee, David and Patton, Brian R. (2020) Low-cost, open-access quantitative phase imaging of algal cells using the transport of intensity equation. Royal Society Open Science, 7 (1). 191921. ISSN 2054-5703 (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191921)

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Abstract

Phase microscopy allows stain-free imaging of transparent biological samples. One technique, using the transport of intensity equation (TIE), can be performed without dedicated hardware by simply processing pairs of images taken at known spacings within the sample. The resulting TIE images are quantitative phase maps of unstained biological samples. Therefore, spatially resolved optical path length (OPL) information can also be determined. Using low-cost, opensource hardware, we applied the TIE to living algal cells to measure their effect on OPL. We obtained OPL values that were repeatable within species and differed by distinct amounts depending on the species being measured. We suggest TIE imaging as a method of discrimination between different algal species and, potentially, non-biological materials, based on refractive index/OPL. Potential applications in biogeochemical modelling and climate sciences are suggested.

ORCID iDs

Grant, Stephen D. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9186-1727, Richford, Kyle, Burdett, Heidi L., McKee, David ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8023-5923 and Patton, Brian R. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8222-4419;
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