title: Optical characterization of red blood cells from individuals with sickle cell trait and disease in Tanzania using quantitative phase imaging.
abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is common across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the investigation of SCD in this area has been significantly limited mainly due to the lack of research facilities and skilled personnel. Here, we present optical measurements of individual red blood cells from healthy individuals and individuals with SCD and sickle cell trait in Tanzania using the quantitative phase imaging technique. By employing a quantitative phase imaging unit, an existing microscope in a clinic is transformed into a powerful quantitative phase microscope providing measurements on the morphological, biochemical, and biomechanical properties of individual cells. The present approach will open up new opportunities for cost-effective investigation and diagnosis of several diseases in low resource environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: JaeHwang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 476, Morogoro, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Lucas E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Matemba
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: KyeoReh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research, 3 Barack Obama Drive, P.O. Box 9653, 11101 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Kazyoba
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jonghee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research, 3 Barack Obama Drive, P.O. Box 9653, 11101 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Julius J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Massaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoohyun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Bioengineering, P.O. Box 447 Arusha, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Dong-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.|TomoCube, Inc., Daejeon 34051, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: YongKeun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006450:Hemoglobin SC Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D013636:Tanzania