The visualization and tracking of adipocytes and their lipid droplets (LDs) during differentiation are pivotal for understanding a wide range of biological processes and diseases.

Holotomography provides a significant advantage in lipid analysis research by eliminating the need for fluorescence dyes or Oil Red-O, which often require extensive preparation, induce cellular damage, and restrict observation time. 

Check out these impactful studies showcasing its capabilities in lipid studies.
 

Jeong et al., "Label-free long-term measurements of adipocyte differentiation from patient-driven fibroblasts and quantitative analyses of in situ lipid droplet generation", Journal of the Optical Society of America A (2024)

  • This 42-day timelapse study introduces a label-free 3D quantification method using low-coherence holotomography, enabling long-term visualization and precise measurement of individual adipocytes and lipid droplets. Automated analysis quantified key biophysical parameters, offering deep insights into adipogenesis. With new insights into the intricate relationship between cellular structure and function during adipocyte maturation, the findings have significant implications for the pathology and treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) and open avenues for personalized medicine approaches in KOA treatment.
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Dellisanti et al., "Moderate levels of dissolved iron stimulate cellular growth and increase lipid storage in Symbiodinium sp.", Research Square (2024)

  • New findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between iron availability and Symbiodiniumsp. growth and cellular development. Non-destructive, label-free holotomography enabled single cell in vivo revealing higher intracellular lipid accumulation in response to 50 nM Fe(III) enrichment.
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Småros et al., "Microbial production of food lipids using the oleaginous yeast Apiotrichum brassicae", Food Research International (2024)

  • In this study, researchers explored the power of the oleaginous yeast Apiotrichum brassicae to create tailored lipid profiles. This offers a promising sustainable alternative for producing edible lipids, potentially replacing animal and unsustainable plant fats and oils. Using advanced holotomography, the team visualized the accumulation of lipid droplets in 3D, tracking the microbial lipid profile from day 1 through day 5 when glucose was fully consumed.
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Bhatta et al., "Determination of adipogenesis stages of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells using three-dimensional label-free holotomography", Methods (2024)

  • This study utilizes holotomography to identify distinct morphological biomarkers during adipogenesis in human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). The findings highlight holotomography's advantages over conventional imaging methods, offering a non-invasive approach to monitor cellular dynamics and detect lipid droplets (LDs) at earlier stages with greater sensitivity.
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Choi et al., "Fasudil and viscosity of gelatin promote hepatic differentiation by regulating organelles in human umbilical cord matrix-mesenchymal stem cells", Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2024)

  • This study explores the innovative use of fasudil and gelatin viscosity to enhance hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord matrix-mesenchymal stem cells (hUCM-MSCs). It offers promising insights into stem cell therapy for liver regeneration and highlights a novel method to improve the efficiency and functionality of differentiated hepatic cells. Holotomography allows for the detailed visualization of cell structures, providing critical insights into how organelle dynamics, like the accumulation of lipid droplets and changes in mitochondrial morphology, influence stem cell fate.
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Wilhelmsen et al., "The effects of TGF-β-induced activation and starvation of vitamin A and palmitic acid on human stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells", Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2024)

  • Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are essential for maintaining liver function and homeostasis, but they can also have a critical role in liver injury and fibrosis. One key indicator of HSC activation is the loss of vitamin A-containing lipid droplets (LDs). In this study, researchers conduct a comprehensive in vitro analysis of the effects of retinol (ROL) and palmitic acid (PA) deprivation, along with TGF-β-induced activation, on human stem cell-derived HSCs (scHSCs). Holotomography (HT) plays an instrumental role, offering detailed, label-free imaging of HSCs and enabling precise observation of subcellular structures like LDs.
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Kim et al., "Recent advances in label-free imaging and quantification techniques for the study of lipid droplets in cells", Current Opinion in Cell Biology (2024)

  • This review discusses holotomography and vibrational spectroscopic microscopy, emphasizing their potential for studying LDs without molecular labels, and highlights the growing integration of artificial intelligence. 
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Jimenez-Chavez et al., "Aluminum enhances the oxidative damage of ZnO NMs in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line", Discover Nano (2024)

  • This study combined classical toxicology assays and advanced imaging technologies to successfully evaluate the physicochemical properties of Aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) nanomaterial and its uptake, transformation, interaction, and destinations in both neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and red blood (RBCs) cells. As one of the main tools utilized in the research methodology, holotomography was demonstrated as a powerful and straightforward strategy for investigating the potential toxicity mechanisms of nanoparticles and their effects on biological processes in living cells and in real-time.
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Bae et al., "Synergistic Effect of Ferroptosis-Inducing Nanoparticles and X-Ray Irradiation Combination Therapy", Nano Micro Small (2024)

  • This research combines FDA-approved ferroptosis-induced nanoparticles with apoptosis-induced X-ray irradiation for a safer and more effective X-ray therapy system in cancer treatment. In this study, Holotomography was utilized to assess the uptake of hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles (FHA-NPs) as well as their effect on cell morphology and organelle dynamics in lung carcinoma epithelial cells. The evident accumulation of lipid droplets/cytoplasmic lysosomes in treated cells, represented by 3D refractive index images, helped confirm the important role of lipid metabolism in ferroptosis.
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