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Holotomography (HT), analyzed using software like TomoAnalysis, provides a wealth of information across multiple parameters. These include morphological, chemical, and mechanical aspects of the imaged samples.
Morphological Parameters: HT enables the measurement of various morphological parameters such as volume, surface area, projection area, and sphericity. These parameters offer insights into the shape and size characteristics of the imaged objects.
Chemical Parameters: Through holotomographic analysis, chemical information such as dry mass and concentration can be determined. For example, in the case of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration can also be measured, providing valuable biochemical insights.
Mechanical Parameters: HT facilitates the measurement of mechanical properties such as cell stiffness. This parameter offers crucial information about the mechanical behavior and integrity of the imaged samples, which can be particularly relevant in studying cellular biomechanics and response to external stimuli. -
Cellular dry mass refers to the mass of cellular material excluding water content. Cells are primarily composed of proteins, resembling a protein solution enclosed within a membrane. The refractive index (RI) of a protein solution correlates linearly with its concentration.
By simultaneously measuring a cell's volume and mean RI value, researchers can calculate its non-aqueous mass or dry mass. This calculation exploits the relationship between concentration, mass, and volume.