title: Label-free analysis of mononuclear human blood cells in microfluidic flow by coherent imaging tools.
abstract: The investigation of the physical properties of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is of great relevance, as they play a key role in regulating human body health. Here we report the possibility to characterize human PBMC in their physiological conditions in a microfluidic-based measurement system. A viscoelastic polymer solution is adopted for 3D alignment of individual cells inflow. An optical signature (OS) acquisition of each flowing cell is performed using a wide angle light scattering apparatus. Besides, a quantitative phase imaging (QPI) holographic system is employed with the aim (i) to check the position in flow of individual cells using a holographic 3D cell tracking method; and (ii) to estimate their 3D morphometric features, such as their refractive index (RI). Results obtained by combining OS and QPI have been compared with literature values, showing good agreement. The results confirm the possibility to obtain sub-micrometric details of physical cell properties in microfluidic flow, avoiding chemical staining or fluorescent labelling.
authors: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125, Naples, Italy.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Dannhauser
authors: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125, Naples, Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Rossi
authors: CNR-ISASI Institute of Applied Sciences & Intelligent Systems "E. Caianiello", Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: Memmolo
authors: Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy.|Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Causa
authors: CNR-ISASI Institute of Applied Sciences & Intelligent Systems "E. Caianiello", Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Finizio
authors: CNR-ISASI Institute of Applied Sciences & Intelligent Systems "E. Caianiello", Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy.
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Ferraro
authors: Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Barsanti e Matteucci 53, 80125, Naples, Italy.|Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy.|Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy.
authors: Paolo A
authors: PA
authors: Netti
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: digital holography; light scattering; microfluidics; peripheral blood analysis