Hyperspectral imaging of cells; Towards real-time pathological assessment

The goal of this work is to develop micro-scale noninvasive photonic instrumentation and techniques that will enable real-time imaging and monitoring of microstructures and cells in tissues. We utilize a hyperspectral microscope to explore the differences of native fluorescence and polarized light scattering from cellular components using various excitation wavelengths. The key optical "signature" characteristics that differentiate the various cellular components are used to obtain composite images that highlight their presence and the relative concentration of various tissue chromophores. The sensitivity has been optimized in our specially designed instrumentation so that image acquisition times are very short for real-time application in a clinical setting. This technology is not invasive to the cells and therefore it can be used to monitor their function while they are still alive.