High-speed microscopy captures 3D images of living cells nearly 400 times faster

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a groundbreaking high-speed microscopy technique capable of capturing images of living cells nearly 400 times faster than previous methods. By utilizing mid-infrared light to create a photothermal signal, the team was able to quickly capture snapshots of temperature-change signatures emitted by various molecules within the cell.

The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a significant leap forward in the field of label-free mid-infrared photothermal microscopy, which uses light to vibrate chemical bonds within molecules and create a map of a cell's internal composition. This new technique, called video-rate mid-infrared photothermal optical diffraction tomography (MIP-ODT), can generate a 3D video of active biological processes in motion, achieving an impressive 19.2 images per second or approximately 52 milliseconds per complete 3D image.

The ability to capture such rapid data has allowed researchers to track lipid droplet movement in three dimensions within cells, revealing transport behaviors that were previously difficult to observe using traditional 2D imaging methods. With the potential to study fast biological processes and biomolecular condensates—membraneless structures linked to neurodegenerative disorders—this innovative technique holds promise for advancing our understanding of cellular dynamics and developing new treatments for various conditions.