Newsletter

Innovate the way we see life | Tomocube Inc. | January 2026

A new way to study dynamic cell phenotypes—without labels, endpoints, or blind spots.

The identification of many key cellular transitions, such as hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation in liver fibrosis, requires fluorescence staining or endpoint assays. This forces researchers to rely on indirect, invasive, and discontinuous measurements to study what is fundamentally a dynamic biological process.

Our latest Application Note shows how holotomography (HT) offers a simpler, cost-efficient, and more reliable approach for long-term studies.

Through continuous, label-free 3D imaging of HSCs, HT enables quantitative comparison of cellular states before and after activation, revealing measurable changes in morphological and biophysical properties within a single, non-invasive workflow.

Direct, label-free insight into HSC activation

Holotomography enables direct visual differentiation between quiescent and activated HSCs.

Using intrinsic refractive-index (RI) contrast, activated HSCs exhibit clear and reproducible phenotypic differences from their pre-activation state, including multifaceted changes in cell morphology and intracellular organization.

These features enable the direct distinction of activation states from live-cell images. Time-lapse HT further supports continuous observation of these changes as they unfold over time, preserving native cellular context.

Figure: Using the HT-X1™ Plus imaging system, LX-2 cells were visualized under Control (CTL), Serum-Starved (STV), and TGF-β1-Activated (ACT) conditions, showing dramatic morphological changes in the ACT groups.

From imaging to decision-ready data

Beyond visualization, TomoAnalysis™ converts these phenotypic changes into quantitative, multi-parametric data.

AI-powered segmentation enables robust, label-free measurement of whole-cell properties. The results reveal a clear shift toward the activated state in the ACT group, including a significant increase in cell volume alongside reductions in dry mass and intracellular concentration.

Together, HT workflow generates a scalable solution for fibrosis research, drug discovery, and high-content phenotypic screening.

Figure: Quantitative analysis of cellular and subcellular changes during HSC activation using TomoAnalysis™.

Confidence through multimodal validation

When molecular confirmation is required, HT integrates seamlessly with fluorescence imaging.

Correlative analysis shows strong spatial agreement between HT-detected structural features and established activation markers, reinforcing confidence in the label-free readouts while maintaining the advantages of live-cell observation.

Validation of HSCs activation markers by immunofluorescence.
Figure: Correlative label-free holotomography and fluorescence imaging using theHT-X1™ Plus with FLX 100validates hepatic stellate cell activation.

Multi-modal 3D Live Cell Imaging for Cellular Research

Flyer: HT-X1™ Plus with FLX 100

Flyer: HT-X1™ Plus with SDC