MDNews - San Antonio

+++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + +++++++++++++++++++++++++ IMAGING SPOTLIGHT +++ +++ The iPad of Cell Imaging RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ARE SHEDDING NEW LIGHT ON THE CELL GROWTH DEBATE. ITS NEW IMAGING METHOD COULD SOON BE HELPING RESEARCHERS AROUND THE GLOBE GO DEEPER IN THEIR CELLULAR STUDIES. the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois, developed a new imaging method that can measure cell mass using two beams of light. This new imaging method, called spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM), can quantitatively measure mass with femtogram accuracy. The SLIM technique cannot only T measure the growth of a single cell, but also the mass transport within the cell. This measuring capability can be used on all types of cells, including adherent cells, nonadherent cells, bacteria, mammalian cells, single cells and populations. SLIM is completely noninvasive so researchers can study cells in their natural functions, and the combination 22 | San Antonio MD NEWS ■ MDNEWS.COM HE RESEARCH TEAM, led by Gabriel Popescu, an electrical and computer engineering professor and a member of of phase-contrast microscopy and holog- raphy allows researchers to view cells without the need to make special prepa- rations or stain slides. The use of white light can be combined with traditional microscopy techniques to monitor cells, a combination that allows for in-depth biological studies. New Knowledge of Cell Growth The sensitivity of the SLIM technique allows researchers to see a clearer picture of cells' growth through phases of the cell cycle. This new advantage will be beneficial for basic biology research, diagnostics, drug development and tissue engineering. This new insight to cell growth will be applicable to many types of disease models and may allow researchers a deeper understanding of those models. Researchers also hope this will help accelerate the study of growth variations between normal cells and cancer cells and how different treatments affect the growth rates. Popescu compared the capabilities of use with the SLIM technique to that of the iPad. The SLIM technique is hardware that has a number of applications, which can benefit many different labs in their research. He hopes to establish SLIM as a shared resource on the University of Illinois campus, which will make it more flexible and accessible for clinical research in many areas. ■ ADVERTISERS' INDEX Amegy Bank of Texas ..............................11 Bjorn's Audio, Video, Home Theater ..... Inside Front Cover Cambridge...................................................11 Paesanos ......................................................9 South Texas Radiology Imaging Centers ...............Back Cover Sol Schwartz & Associates, P.C. ..........15 SWBC ........................... Inside Back Cover Texas Health Steps ...................................5 Texas Medical Association ....................19 UT Health Science Center .....................17

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