Epi-fluorescence microscopy and image analysis used to measure diffusion coefficients in gel systems.
A method using epi-fluorescence microscopy and image analysis has been developed to follow and quantify the diffusion of fluorescent compounds through gels. Two mathematical approaches were employed to calculate diffusion coefficients. The spatial resolution provided by the fluorescence microscope allowed diffusion to be followed over very short distances; accordingly diffusion coefficients were obtained within minutes, even for slowly diffusing systems. The method was successfully applied to the diffusion of macromolecules into agar, carbopol and mucus gel systems.
Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Nottingham, UK.
B T
BT
Henry
J
J
Adler
S
S
Hibberd
M S
MS
Cheema
S S
SS
Davis
T G
TG
Rogers
D000465:Algorithms; D004058:Diffusion; D005782:Gels; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods
D005782:Gels