Flow cytometry with gold nanoparticles and their clusters as scattering contrast agents: FDTD simulation of light-cell interaction

The formulation of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) approach is presented in the framework of its potential applications to in-vivo flow cytometry based on light scattering. The consideration is focused on comparison of light scattering by a single biological cell alone in controlled refractive-index matching conditions and by cells labeled by gold-nanoparticles. The optical schematics including phase contrast (OPCM) microscopy as a prospective modality for in-vivo flow cytometry is also analyzed. The validation of the FDTD approach for the simulation of flow cytometry may open up a new avenue in the development of advanced. cytometric techniques based on scattering effects from nanoscale targets. [GRAPHICS] A group of 42-gold NPs randomly distributed on the surface of the cell nucleus: (a) cell model; (h) nucleus and cluster model, The NP size on the right-hand graph is slightly exaggerated. (C) 2009 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim