Single-cell viability assessment with a novel spectro-imaging system

J Biotechnol. 2002 Apr 11;94(3):299-308. doi: 10.1016/s0168-1656(01)00431-x.

Abstract

Single-cell viability assessment by means of plural dye probes require the spectral and temporal analysis of microscopic images of the test cells. To meet this requirement, we have developed a simple and compact spectro-imaging system using an image slicer and a grism. The image slicer was made of a bundle of 100 optical fibers. The field of view is divided into 10 x 10 sections. The spectral data of each section could be recorded every 5 s in the range from 400 to 800 nm at 5 nm resolution. The viability changes of yeast or tobacco single-cells were measured with this system. Using BY-2 cells, for example, the response to a chemical stress of saponin was measured by means of two fluorescent probes. The spectral-spatial-temporal data of fluorescein and DNA bound ethidium bromide provided us with useful information about the dynamic change of cell membrane permeability from which the cell viability was assessed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / toxicity
  • Antifungal Agents / toxicity
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival* / drug effects
  • Cytophotometry / instrumentation*
  • Cytophotometry / methods*
  • Ethidium / chemistry
  • Fluoresceins / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Nicotiana / cytology
  • Nicotiana / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saponins / toxicity
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / instrumentation*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluoresceins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Saponins
  • Amphotericin B
  • Ethidium