Comparison of fixed and living biological cells parameters investigated with digital holographic microscope

Patryk Kamil Nienałtowski , Maria Baczewska , Małgorzata Kujawińska

Abstract

The statistical analysis and comparison of biophysical parameters of living and fixed, mouse embryonic fibroblasts cells are presented. The parameters are calculated based on phase measurements performed by means of a digital, holographic microscope. The phases are retrieved from off-axis, image plane holograms, followed by custom image segmentation and statistical analysis of cells’ surface, phase volume and dry mass. The results indicated statistically significant differences between fixed and living cell parameters, which is an important message for setting methodology for further diagnosis based on quantitative phase (label-free) analysis.